Administrator can not delete some folders and files !

I'm new to Windows 11, so maybe this is a "feature" I don't know about.

First, all PCs I "support", close to a dozen for family and friends, have the Administrator account enabled. I does not get used very often, but I like having it as a kind of backdoor.

From my many years of supporting mini-computers, workstation and servers (all non-Windows, many pre-Microsoft days) I am used to "cleaning up" after applications have been removed. I removed SignalRGB and found a bunch of "leftovers" so I logged into Administrator to delete these folders and files. I found them with File Explorer, Select, Delete key, NOTHING HAPPENS !

Select again, Right Click, Trash can, NOTHING HAPPENS !

Why ?

It would probably help if you told us the paths of the "leftovers" that cannot be deleted. Someone might have the same app and can check the permissions on those folders to see if they need to be modified. Or, you can check yourself, to see if the Administrators group has permissions by default, or if you need to take ownership before deleting.

Hello @theoldwizard1 and welcome to ElevenForum.

There's a program called Unlockit by EMCO (free), that can "unlock" whatever is locking those files.

There's a program called REVO Uninstaller (free), that can uninstall just about anything. What's even better is that it then offers to "scan for leftovers", and allows you to delete them with one click.

In the case of REVO... you'll probably have to re-install the program you just uninstalled... then use REVO to uninstall it properly.






=================================================================
=================================================================



Here's some other things that may help on your Windows 11 journeys...

The file/folder in question is not "lock". Administrator just does NOT have full access to it !

theoldwizard1 said:

I'm new to Windows 11, so maybe this is a "feature" I don't know about.

Click to expand...

Yes, many items in Windows require higher authority than an Admin account - such as System or Trusted installer authority.
That's how Windows protects itself against corruption.
It has been like this for more than a decade. And it was almost the same for over a decade before that.

theoldwizard1 said:

have the Administrator account enabled

Click to expand...

The Built-in Admin account has no more authority than any Admin user account that you have created yourself.
It exists for one reason & one reason only, to get enabled by Windows to appear on the Safe mode login screen if Windows cannot detect any other functional Admin accounts on the computer.
Unless you have added a password to this account, I urge you not to leave it enabled when you are online. It can be exploited.
If you want the safety net of an additional Admin user account then make one.
my ditty - Create two spare local, password-protected Admin accounts [post #2] in Windows 10, 11 - TenForums

theoldwizard1 said:

I found them with File Explorer, Select, Delete key, NOTHING HAPPENS !

Click to expand...

The Permissions that apply to the folders they are in tell you that Admins do not have the power to alter the contents. Only the System 'user' does.
I suggest you leave the debris alone or user a trusted utility to remove it. I've seen lots of members recommend this one - Revo Uninstaller - Paul Black post #3 - TenForums



All the best,
Denis

That is correct. My permissions are the same as yours on that folder. One can always change permissons on the folder but I would advise against it as it is a system folder. Doing so can have very negative results as we have seen many times on this forum when one messes with ownership of system and trusted installer folders. Do so at your own risk.

theoldwizard1 said:

I am used to "cleaning up" after applications have been removed

Click to expand...

You do not have to "cleanup" if you use one of the uninstallers that does the cleaning up for you. (I second @Try3 suggestion of Revo) The free version of Revo is very good finding most leftovers left behind. The Pro version is even better as if does extended scanning for leftover files and registry entries. The portable version can be put on a usb stick and used on multiple computers. Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Free and Full Download

Microsoft Store apps are protected more than traditional apps. They're generally best left alone, but if you really want to clean up, use PowerRun to open Cmd as TrustedInstaller. Then you can add/change/delete without having to touch the permissions. With great power comes great responsibility. Be careful.