Cannot take ownership to folder

Question

I'm domain administrator and have all permission into folder on the file server.
I met with such a problem. I need to delete a file in a folder, but I can't do it.
When I open the Security tab I get a message:
You must have Read permissions to view the properties of this object
I know that in such cases it is necessary to change the owner of the file to your account.
But when I try to change the owner to my account I get an error message:
You do not have permission to view or edit this object's permission settings.
The file server runs on Windows Server 2012 R2.

Answer 1

Hello,

In this case I would recommend to takeover ownership through commandline, following the next steps:

Step 1: Press Windows + R to invoke Run window.

Step 2: Input cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run your Command Prompt as administrator.

Step 3: Type the command lines takeown /F Path (Path should be replaced by the actual path of the problematic file) and press Enter key to take ownership of the file.

Step 4: Type the command lines icacls Path /grant administrators:F and press Enter key to grant Administrators full control permission for the file.

If it still does not work, try:

• Run an image repair (recommended to run using a downloaded image, mounted) https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/repair-a-windows-image?view=windows-11
• Run a clean boot: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows-da2f9573-6eec-00ad-2f8a-a97a1807f3dd

Last but not least, as a last resource you can access in Safe Mode as Administrator which would ensure that you don´t have any locks on the file or path.

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Answer 2

Crazy. I wasn't able to delete a user profile's folder either. I believe it was due to the way Google Drive Sync does some crazy sh** locally, but can't be positive. After screwing around (Registry, Folder Properties, Security, Ownership, Command Line (TakeOwn, ICACLS, etc)), ironically, I WAS able to MOVE the folder. Once I moved it (I just slapped it on the desktop to see if that would work --- I was shocked when it did), I WAS able to delete it.

Obviously there's a chance that the combination of my trying to take ownership and/or change security could (likely have?) contributed, but ultimately, thankfully, I was able to delete the damn thing. Whew.

Hope this helps someone!