Can't delete file - Can't access folder

Running Windows 7 Pro with Microsoft Security Essentials as my antivirus...

In my D:\TEMP folder there is a folder named CR_98F43.tmp. If I try to go into that folder I am denied permission. I'm told that I need to use the security tab to gain access. If I go to the folder properties, into the security tab, everything is greyed out... I can't alter anything.

I'm able to access the content of the folder in an Administrator command prompt. Inside this directory is a file named "SETUP_PATCH.PACKED.7Z". I cannot delete this file from the command line. I've even tried a utility named "BootDelete" to try and delete the directory without success.

What can I do to remove this file and folder?

Hi Calab,

You can tell us the permission settings of the outer most item you are denied access from.

Open a PowerShell session, run the below line and post it's output here for us.

Code:

"D:\TEMP" | %{$a = Get-Acl $_} ; ''; $env:Username; $a.Owner; ''; $a.AccessToString

Pyprohly said:

Hi Calab,

You can tell us the permission settings of the outer most item you are denied access from.

Open a PowerShell session, run the below line and post it's output here for us.

Code:

"D:\TEMP" | %{$a = Get-Acl $_} ; ''; $env:Username; $a.Owner; ''; $a.AccessToString

Opened Powershell:

Code:

PS D:\> "D:\TEMP" | %{$a = Get-Acl $_} ; ''; $env:Username; $a.Owner; ''; 
$a.AccessToString
 
Steve
StevesPC\Steve
 
Everyone Allow  -1
PS D:\>
PS D:\> "D:\TEMP\CR_98F43.tmp" | %{$a = Get-Acl $_} ; ''; $env:Username; $a.Owner; ''; $a.AccessToString
Get-Acl : Attempted to perform an unauthorized operation.
At line:1 char:40
+ "D:\TEMP\CR_98F43.tmp" | %{$a = Get-Acl <<<<  $_} ; ''; $env:Username; $a.Owner; ''; $a.AccessToString
    + CategoryInfo          : NotSpecified: (:) [Get-Acl], UnauthorizedAccessException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : System.UnauthorizedAccessException,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.GetAclCommand
 
Steve
StevesPC\Steve
Everyone Allow  -1
PS D:\>

Opened Powershell as administrator:

Code:

PS D:\> "D:\TEMP\CR_98F43.tmp" | %{$a = Get-Acl $_} ; ''; $env:Username; $a.Owner; ''; $a.AccessToString
Steve
NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Allow  FullControl
BUILTIN\Administrators Allow  ReadAndExecute, Synchronize
PS D:\>
PS D:\temp\CR_98F43.tmp> "D:\TEMP\CR_98F43.tmp\SETUP_PATCH.PACKED.7Z" | %{$a = Get-Acl $_} ; ''; $env:Username; $a.Owner
; ''; $a.AccessToString
Steve
NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Allow  FullControl
BUILTIN\Administrators Allow  ReadAndExecute, Synchronize
PS D:\temp\CR_98F43.tmp>

When I attempt to delete the file, in Powershell as administrator:

Code:

PS D:\temp\CR_98F43.tmp> del .\SETUP_PATCH.PACKED.7Z
Remove-Item : Cannot remove item D:\temp\CR_98F43.tmp\SETUP_PATCH.PACKED.7Z: Access to the path 'D:\temp\CR_98F43.tmp\S
ETUP_PATCH.PACKED.7Z' is denied.
At line:1 char:4
+ del <<<<  .\SETUP_PATCH.PACKED.7Z
    + CategoryInfo          : PermissionDenied: (D:\temp\CR_98F4...PATCH.PACKED.7Z:FileInfo) [Remove-Item], Unauthoriz
   edAccessException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : RemoveFileSystemItemUnAuthorizedAccess,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.RemoveItemCommand

One item I should mention is that my %TEMP% and %TMP% variables point to E:\Temp. Nothing should be using D:\Temp. I moved my temp directory to a dedicated drive last week, as I had a small spare SSD laying around.

Would it be cheating to pop in a linux boot stick and give it a try? DSL is a mere 50MB download.

Actually I wouldn't recommend DSL. It requires too much work to set up. Puppy or LinuxLite would be a better choice.

Finally got it fixed...

1- Boot into safe mode (not sure if it was necessary)
2- Open PowerShell as administrator
3- Used TAKEOWN to take ownership of the 7z file
4- Went to the properties of the file in Windows Explorer
5- I was able to give myself full control of the file
6- Deleted the file.

Tada!