Undeletable files on external drives. Help please.

[vega87]

This is my first ever post - Thanks for reading it.

I'm having problems with my security tabs on my external hard drives. I can't delete/move files one of my externals. I've read through other threads and forums that say I can set accessibility on the drive through the security tab, but I have none. I tried enabling the tab through the Local Group Policy Editor, but to no avail. If anyone has any ideas on how to fix this, I'd appreciate the help.

Thank you in advance to anyone who can help in any way with this issue

 

[Brink]

Hello Vega, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You might see if taking ownership of the external drive itself from within the Computer window, then "Allow" your user account "Full Control" permission as well may be able to allow you to do so afterwards.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[vega87]

I've taken control, but I still don't have a security tab in my properties, so i can't change any permissions on the drive

 

[Brink]

Vega,

How is the external drive formatted? The Security tab will not be available if you are using the FAT or FAT32 file system instead of NTFS.

 

[kucing13]

worth to try this to delete files

Unlocker

 

[vega87]

Yeah, my drive is FAT32... I have 2 externals, both are FAT32, and only one has this problem (started with the switch to windows 7). Both don't have security tabs, but only one has access issues... Is it beyond my control?

 

[Brink]

You could try using the free program Unlocker that Ralf posted above to see if you may be able to delete them afterwards.

If not, then you could convert the FAT32 file system to NTFS without losing the data to have the Security tab afterwards to be able to give yourself permission.

 

[A Guy]

If you are using Windows 7 64 Bit, Unlocker does not work. But you can use Lockhunter, it works on x64

Lock Hunter

A Guy

 

[vega87]

A Guy was right, I couldn't use the unlocker Kucing posted, but the lock hunter worked. I was able to delete files, but not really gain full access. Can't move files and things like that, but I'm going to try changing the drive from FAT32 to NTSF now, hopefully that will do the trick.

 

[A Guy]

Great, yes I had an external drive attached to my XP machine, left it at Fat32 since I thought I might want to attach it to an older machine. By the time I realized I was never going to do that, I had a bunch of stuff on there. But I did the convert to NTSF and it went without a hitch and all my data was fine. A Guy

 

[vega87]

I converted my drive to NTFS and it worked! Thanks soooo much for the help, I really appreciate it!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Vega. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted.