Deleting a Folder with Vista

[anotheoldgit]

I am trying to delete a folder from my documents, but I keep being denied from doing this simple task.

I right click on it and press delete, it then asks me if I am sure I want to move this folder to the recycle bin, I press yes, I then need to confirm this request, I then press continue, It then says Windows needs your permission to continue I press continue, it then says desination folder access denied.

Does anyone know why this is? My operating system is Vista.

[rojash]

You've answered the question yourself in the last sentence :-)

[vehelpfulguy]

In older version of Windows (XP certainly) the main person who installed Windows, or used it, was a FULL ADMINISTRATOR.

This gave them the power to do ANYTHING on the computer.

The problem Microsoft found was that because every user was a full administrator it gave viruses and other dodgy programs the ability to install themselves without your knowledge.

So with Vista they have changed this.

The person who installed Vista, or the main user, is now a LIMITED ADMINISTRATOR.

There is still a FULL ADMINISTRATOR, but it is hidden from most users.

Because most prople using Vista are LIMITED ADMINISTRATORS then Vista has to keep asking you if you want to do certain things.

It also limits what you can do on your computer, so maybe deleting a folder from My Documents is one of those things that is limited.

There are a number of web sites that help get you round this. Search for "Vista Administrator"

This site below may help (I have not followed these instructions so you do so at your own risk)

http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/vista/vis ta_administrator_activate.htm

[anotheoldgit]

Thank you vehelpfulguy a most informative answer.

What I can't understand though is the fact that I had no trouble incorrectly adding the folder.

[ACtheTROLL]

Sorry to disagree .... but VHG - you're wrong

In vista ... the first account created is AN administrator (not limited) account .... then subsequent accounts are standard users (which may be why you can't delete the folder)

THE administrator account isn't hidden .... it's there .... but you need to be in
"Administrative tools | Computer Management"
and not the "user accounts" snap-in
... but disabled ... and can only be enabled by AN administrator

THE administrator is "hard wired" into the OS code ... and there are a few obscure things that only they can do .... but this isn't one of them.

Generally speaking ... you can't delete a system folder (one that was created during the installation)
you can't delete a folder which contains an open file.
(some progs can be unreasonable about locking files)
and finally (under some circumstances .... you can't delete a folder in explorer from the left pane if you have single clicked the folder to display it's contents in the right pane first !!!!!! (Vista thinks the folder is open).

First ... you need to be AN administrator to do this
reboot the system access your documents folder using classic view and you should be able to delete the folder.

if that fails ... go for safe mode (f8 when vista is starting up)

there is no risk activating the administrators account (it's just a waste of effort) - but if you do .... disable it again when you've done.

many new progs expect UAC to be enabled ... and the administrator to be disabled .. they become unstable if the "precautions" they take to get round the conditions don't exist