What can I do about a problem with folder permissions?

Diwedd · 06 Nov 2016

I recently bought a new Acer PC with Windows 10. The PC is just for me. There is only one account on it and I am not planning and creating any other accounts. I was pretty sure I am the administrator of the PC, but whenever I try to delete a folder, I get a message stating that I need to provide administrator permission to delete. This is very frustrating because this happens with every folder I want to delete. I have inserted an image with the message below.

What can I do about a problem with folder permissions?-capture.png

I am quite confused about the permissions on the PC in general since there appears to be several permission entries (see image below), so for example, there is the System, an administrator, administrators, users etc.

What can I do about a problem with folder permissions?-permissions-1.png

I would really like to keep the permissions as simple as possible. I do not want a long list of permission entries. It would be great if it could be the system and me (as the administrator), but I don't know if this is possible.

Any help will be appreciated.

dalchina · 06 Nov 2016

Hello, you shouldn't normally have to worry about permissions settings. Normally, permissions prompt are there to protect things you shouldn't touch- I'm sure you know that. However there are some cases where the prompt does occur and it's a bit annoying (e.g. when I manipulate the start menu - I use Classic Shell as my start menu).

However, 'normal' folder deletion where these are folders in your normal workspace should not result in such a prompt. Access to system folders such as you show may well do so.

If you think it wrong that you receive such a prompt, you may wish to try resetting folder permissions. This well-regarded free repair tool includes a way to do that:
Tweaking.com - Windows Repair Free/Pro
Follow the cautious stages, and use only the relevant repair.

Diwedd · 07 Nov 2016

dalchina said:

Hello, you shouldn't normally have to worry about permissions settings. Normally, permissions prompt are there to protect things you shouldn't touch- I'm sure you know that. However there are some cases where the prompt does occur and it's a bit annoying (e.g. when I manipulate the start menu - I use Classic Shell as my start menu).
However, 'normal' folder deletion where these are folders in your normal workspace should not result in such a prompt. Access to system folders such as you show may well do so.

If you think it wrong that you receive such a prompt, you may wish to try resetting folder permissions. This well-regarded free repair tool includes a way to do that:
Tweaking.com - Windows Repair Free/Pro
Follow the cautious stages, and use only the relevant repair.

Thank you for your reply, I will try the Tweaking tool.

Bree · 07 Nov 2016

Even as an administrator you will see prompts like this if you try to manipulate files or folders in critical folders such as 'Windows', 'Program files' or the one for the Start menu's layout (I'm guessing that's where your 'Amazon' folder lives).

An administrator account (for your own protection) operates most of the time as a standard user. When your administrator privileges are needed a prompt like this or a User Account Control (UAC) screen pops up. It's asking if you really want to do this - just click 'Continue' (or 'Yes' for UAC) and it will use your full administrator rights to do what you've asked.