How to Delete a File or Folder Showing Error “Access Is Denied”

If you’ve ever tried to delete a file or folder on your computer only to be met with an error message that says ‘Access Is Denied,’ you’re not alone. This frustrating issue can occur due to various reasons, such as inadequate permissions, a locked file, or a malware infection. However, there are several methods you can try to delete the problematic file or folder.

Method 1: Take Ownership of the File/Folder

1. Right-click on the file or folder that is displaying the error message.

2. Select ‘Properties’ from the context menu.

3. Go to the ‘Security’ tab and click on ‘Advanced.’

4. Next to the owner’s name, click ‘Change.’

5. Enter your user account name in the ‘Enter the object name to select’ field and click ‘Check Names.’

6. Click ‘OK’ to save the changes.

Method 2: Use the Command Prompt

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Navigate to the location of the file or folder by using the ‘cd’ command.

3. Once in the correct directory, type ‘del /f filename’ for a file or ‘rd /s /q foldername’ for a folder.

4. Press ‘Enter’ to execute the command.

Method 3: Boot into Safe Mode

1. Restart your computer and press ‘F8’ before the Windows logo appears.

2. Select ‘Safe Mode’ from the boot options.

3. Try deleting the file or folder in Safe Mode.

If none of the above methods work, the file or folder may be in use by another program. Make sure to close any applications that could be accessing the file before attempting to delete it. Additionally, running a malware scan on your system is recommended to rule out any infections causing the issue.

By following these methods, you can troubleshoot and resolve the ‘Access Is Denied’ error when trying to delete a file or folder on your Windows computer.