Unable to move folder

[agibsonsw]

Hello.
I copied a folder from another computer to my Desktop on my laptop which has Vista on it.
I'm now unable to move the folder as it says I need permission to do this.
But I'm on a standalone computer and I am the Administrator and only user.
How can I move this folder please? Andy.

[HansV]

Right-click the folder in Windows Explorer.
Select Properties from the popup menu.
Is there a Security tab?
If so, can you edit your permissions?

[agibsonsw]

Hello.
I haven't got the laptop with me until later. But yesterday I checked - there is a Security tab but everything was ticked to say Allow. Andy.

[Leif]

How did you copy the folder? Over a network, copied to CD...?

[agibsonsw]

Hi. It was copied from a USB pen. The folder contains an .iso file if this is significant? Andy.

[Leif]

The folder contains an .iso file if this is significant? Andy.

I can't imagine it would - but then I can't imagine what the problem is in the first place!

(My initial thought was that if it had been copied via CD, it may be Read Only...)

[agibsonsw]

I noticed that the read-only folder option was half-greyed but I was able to untick this option; but this didn't resolve the issue.
Andy.

[JoeP]

The read-only option on a folder is not the same as on a file. What you probably need to do is take ownership of the folder. See How to Take Ownership and Full Control Permissions of Files and Folders in Vista » Tip and Trick for instructions.

Note: unless you renamed the builtin administrator account you are only a member of the administrators group. With Vista and newer OSes that is not the same as on XP. You do not have full administrative rights.

Joe

[agibsonsw]

Hello.
That looks promising, I'll try it later when I get home.
It's a little disturbing to find that I don't "own my computer".. Andy.

[HansV]

It's a little disturbing to find that I don't "own my computer"

Apparently you haven't read the small print...

[JoeP]

Hello.
That looks promising, I'll try it later when I get home.
It's a little disturbing to find that I don't "own my computer".. Andy.

This change was implemented to make it more difficult for "a bad guy" to take over your system. Running as a "normal" user is roughly the way Unix/Linux security has been implemented all along.

Joe

[agibsonsw]

The read-only option on a folder is not the same as on a file. What you probably need to do is take ownership of the folder. See How to Take Ownership and Full Control Permissions of Files and Folders in Vista » Tip and Trick for instructions.

Note: unless you renamed the builtin administrator account you are only a member of the administrators group. With Vista and newer OSes that is not the same as on XP. You do not have full administrative rights.

Joe

Hello. I tried changing ownership but I still can't rename or move the folder, even though I seem to have 'full control'. Any ideas? Andy.

[agibsonsw]

.. I can't delete the folder because it says it's open in another application.
It contains an ISO file which I mounted to another drive 'G:' - perhaps this caused Vista to consider the folder permanently open?
Ahhh..? Andy.

[HansV]

Perhaps you can use the free Unlocker 1.9.0 utility.

[agibsonsw]

Hello.
That's a coincidence, I've just been trying that app - but to no avail..(

[HansV]

Have you tried rebooting?

[agibsonsw]

Yes. The uninstaller suggested it would delete on reboot, but failed.
I would really like to delete the folder as it's 3GB?! Any other suggestions pl? Andy.

I've unmounted the driver and then was able to delete the file. Thanks, Andy.