Best way to delete user files and folders that won't delete?

  • Thread starter Thread starter boe
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boe

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Every now and then some user creates a file or folder that can't be
deleted - they don't have rights to change the rights on the folders.

The files or folders are not in use but you can't delete them - checked on
the server to verify the file wasn't in use.

Any suggestions?
 
Re: Best way to delete user files and folders that won't delete?

Have the admin take ownership of the files/folders, then delete

hth
DDS

"boe" <boe_d@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:em$uuX9oIHA.3976@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Every now and then some user creates a file or folder that can't be
> deleted - they don't have rights to change the rights on the folders.
>
> The files or folders are not in use but you can't delete them - checked on
> the server to verify the file wasn't in use.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
 
Re: Best way to delete user files and folders that won't delete?

>Every now and then some user creates a file or folder that can't be
>deleted - they don't have rights to change the rights on the folders.
>
>The files or folders are not in use but you can't delete them - checked on
>the server to verify the file wasn't in use.
>
>Any suggestions?

Try Unlocker: http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

- Thee Chicago Wolf
 
Re: Best way to delete user files and folders that won't delete?

Thanks I should have mentioned that - I am the admin - I've reset all rights
and no luck.

I see this typically when macs try to save files with crazy punctionation or
start with a space.
"Danny Sanders" <DSanders@NOSPAMciber.com> wrote in message
news:OGbAhu9oIHA.1240@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Have the admin take ownership of the files/folders, then delete
>
> hth
> DDS
>
> "boe" <boe_d@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:em$uuX9oIHA.3976@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> Every now and then some user creates a file or folder that can't be
>> deleted - they don't have rights to change the rights on the folders.
>>
>> The files or folders are not in use but you can't delete them - checked
>> on the server to verify the file wasn't in use.
>>
>> Any suggestions?
>>
>
>
 
Re: Best way to delete user files and folders that won't delete?

Thanks - I'll give that a try the next time this happens!

"Thee Chicago Wolf" <.@.> wrote in message
news:8fmp041h0pad85fra95tbnd3foh99od2os@4ax.com...
> >Every now and then some user creates a file or folder that can't be
>>deleted - they don't have rights to change the rights on the folders.
>>
>>The files or folders are not in use but you can't delete them - checked on
>>the server to verify the file wasn't in use.
>>
>>Any suggestions?
>
> Try Unlocker: http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/
>
> - Thee Chicago Wolf
 
Re: Best way to delete user files and folders that won't delete?

In news:uYTbx49oIHA.5096@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl,
boe <boe_d@hotmail.com> typed:
> Thanks - I'll give that a try the next time this happens!


Boe,

Actually I've seen this in the past a few times when a machine gets 'pubbed'
by FTP pubbers that seek open FTP servers that allow anonymous and write
permissions. They then use the server to create folders using a non-Windows
FTP client, or an FTP client that is set to use Unix commands then upload
their wares, such as movies, apps, games, etc, then advertise them on
private 'pub' sites to share with others in their pirate community. They can
then create folders with reserved Windows names (com, net, LPT1, etc) that
you can't normally in the Windows GUI. All they do is post the whole
subfolder structure on their pub sites and they directly access them. It's
supported on Windows to be compatible with POSIX (from the days of old) and
Unix. And yes, OSx can do this too because they are BSD based, which is
Unix.

Here's an excerpt from a post I saved long ago to help you remove these
files:

------------------------------------
Here's how to create a locked folder with FTP:

http://www.madchat.org/coding/w32nt.rev/dirnt.htm



Here's how to delete them:

How to Remove Files with Reserved Names in Windows

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q120716



++++++++++++++++++

It's likely the files are using an alternate data stream which would
explain why their file size appears as zero bytes.

In order to erase the files, try this -

del \\?\c:\<filename>

If the filename contains symbollic characters, enter what you can and
wildcard the rest or use file completion or use a full wildcard.



You are correct in that this has been answered before, one solution has
been posted below and searching fazwak for posts from me containing \\?\
will also yield many results. IMHO, the easier built-in solution which
uses a form of local naming is more often readily available ... (I'm
assuming the top level folder contains absolutely nothing you want to
keep, if it does .... improvise on the syntax I supplied and erase each
unwanted child) -

C:\>cd inetpub\ftproot

C:\Inetpub\ftproot>rd /s /q \\?\c:\inetpub\ftproot

NOTE - The syntax is literal, do not substitue the ?, only the path. In
addition, setting your working directory to inetpub\ftproot merely
prevents it from being erased along with it's contents.



(By Dean Wells, MVP)

----------------------------------------

--
Regards,
Ace

This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
confers no rights.

Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSE+I, MCT,
MVP Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
Microsoft Certified Trainer

For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please
check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.

Infinite Diversities in Infinite Combinations
 
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