Solved I'm Admin and can't access Windows Apps etc

mlg said:

I am trying to uninstall leftover files and folders from installing a Razer Mouse which I later uninstalled with Revo and am not using. Revo noted at the end of the uninstall that there were leftovers that would be uninstalled on reboot but apparently that didn't happen. I want to install a new Razer mouse and therefore want to delete any leftover files.

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mlg said:

I'm the only user and I am the Administrator. Nevertheless I can't own some of the files and folders on my computer!

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mlg said:

Would greatly appreciate some direction as to how to delete these files and folders.

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mlg said:

I'd also love to understand why and how I got into this. Is there a way to avoid it - is there something I don't understand?

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mlg said:

Did a search using Everything and found several folders and a few files in Program Files/WindowsApps

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takeown /F "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" /A /R /D Y
icacls "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" /grant Administrators:F /T

Get-Service | Where-Object {$_.Name -like "Razer*"} | Stop-Service -Force

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Where-Object {
$_.Name -like "*Razer*"
} | Select Name, PackageFullName

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Where-Object {
    $_.Name -like "*Razer*"
} | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers

Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online | Where-Object {
$_.DisplayName -like "*Razer*"
} | Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online

$paths = @(
"$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Razer",
"$env:APPDATA\Razer",
"C:\ProgramData\Razer"
)

$paths | ForEach-Object {
if (Test-Path $_) { Remove-Item $_ -Recurse -Force }
}

spapakons said:

Since TrustedInstaller belongs to the Administrators group, there is no issue changing the owner to the Administrators group. Unless of course you start deleting stuff without knowing what you are doing.

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Yes, changing ownership of core Windows folders from
TrustedInstaller to Administrators can severely damage your Windows installation, potentially making it unstable, preventing updates, and even rendering it unbootable, because TrustedInstaller (Windows Module Installer) protects vital system files, and removing that protection is a major security risk. It's strongly recommended to avoid this; instead, use elevated tools (like running a command prompt as TrustedInstaller) or grant specific permissions if you need to modify a file, rather than taking ownership.

And, right here, an example of crashing and burning after doing just that!

How to return a local drive C:\ to "TrustedInstaller" as Owner

Hello, I need advice I have been attacked by a ransomware and being desperate I have changed the owner by default of the local disk C: to my local user, selecting right click properties on local drive C: with file explorer, Properties > Security > Advanced > Change before I had...

www.elevenforum.com

neves said:

Those are "protected" Microsoft Store files. Doesn't matter if you're Admin - since it's owned by TrustedInstaller - limiting specific files and folders - while meant to protect users from their own ignorance. Like deleting system32 folder (a meme - based on actual Windows users who did just that - only to realize their system can't boot anymore) - or delete files from Windows Apps - which impacts both Microsoft Store and system stability (since that's a core and rather sensitive part of Windows). Fixing the damage afterwards is rather complex - at that point it's simpler (less head aches) - to do a Windows Repair/Reinstall. That being said - their still ways to forcefully damage Windows, but it takes a lot of extra steps.

Code:

takeown /F "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" /A /R /D Y
icacls "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" /grant Administrators:F /T

There's also workaround - like using a third-party win files explorer - like the one that comes with 7Zip (while ran as Admin) - and you can browser and delete even some protected files. Revo Uninstaller - is not the best option for 3rd party Windows Apps, PowerShell is (which is what Revo is using - but not fully). With PowerShell ran as Admin, something life the folowing commands - should have worked better:

Code:

Get-Service | Where-Object {$_.Name -like "Razer*"} | Stop-Service -Force

Code:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Where-Object {
$_.Name -like "*Razer*"
} | Select Name, PackageFullName

Code:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Where-Object {
    $_.Name -like "*Razer*"
} | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers

Code:

Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online | Where-Object {
$_.DisplayName -like "*Razer*"
} | Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online

Code:

$paths = @(
"$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Razer",
"$env:APPDATA\Razer",
"C:\ProgramData\Razer"
)

$paths | ForEach-Object {
if (Test-Path $_) { Remove-Item $_ -Recurse -Force }
}

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mlg said:

Thank you one and all! The clear consensus was that I should leave the files alone - don't change ownership....don't mess with them. And all said that I should just install a fresh copy of Razer Synapse software....Razer would take care of all needed and un-needed files. I went ahead and re-installed a fresh copy of Synapse. Razer told me it would remove any old copies and installed without a hitch.
I'm happily using my new Razer Basilisk Pro and it's working perfectly. Thanks again

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