Delete a folder that lost its owner
permissions, windows
Solution
If you tried to delete a file/folder and it failed due to a process holding on to it, it will lose it ownership. Use Process Explorer and do a search for the folder/file. It will show what process is using that folder/file. When you end the process, the folder/file will disappear.
Problem
I have found myself in a somewhat unique situation. I have a folder. This folder, somehow, lost its owner. In "Advanced Security Settings for FOLDER" under "Current owner:" is displayed: ``` Unable to display current owner. ``` I am trying to delete this folder with no success. I have tried taking ownership with both my user and the Administrator user and both yield ``` Unable to set new owner on FOLDER, Access is denied ``` I have tried to grant administrator full privileges via the Windows shell running as administrator: ``` icacls FOLDER /grant administrators:F ``` And I have tried to remove the folder via the Windows shell running as administrator: ``` rmdir FOLDER /s ``` which return: ``` Access is denied ``` Does anyone have any idea as to how I can delete this folder?