Unable to delete file from desktop

[Johnaldo]

Hi all,
I downloaded a mp4 file from a shop's web-site onto my desktop. After watching the video I am now unable to delete it ... I get "You need to confirm this operation" then "You need permission to perform this operation" ... and it remains on the desktop.
Any suggestions please?

 

[office politics]

open command prompt as administrator, use del command to delete the file

or

turn off uac, reboot, delete file, turn on uac, reboot

 

[Veraster]

open command prompt as administrator, use del command to delete the file

or

turn off uac, reboot, delete file, turn on uac, reboot

It's a better idea to leave uac off at all times. Don't turn it back on. There's no point in letting a computer you paid for at some point tell you what you can and can't do especially if it's something as stupid as deleting a video.

 

[Johnaldo]

open command prompt as administrator, use del command to delete the file
or
turn off uac, reboot, delete file, turn on uac, reboot

Just tried both of these methods without success
Any other suggestions please?

 

[iFargle]

When that happens to me, I stick it in a newly created folder and delete the folder... Works for me most of the time

 

[Binary Ranger]

I've had a similar problem to this one. You really gotta hate it when a machine you paid for and own tells you that you don't have permission to delete something.

I'll be honest, when I first read the title of this I was thinking someone pulled that old computer prank on you. You create a folder on the desktop and call it something suggestive like "PornXXX". Then you take a screen shot of the desktop. Next you delete the folder and take the screenshot to an image editor like paint and save the image. Finally, set the image as the desktop background and it looks like there is a file on the screen called "PornXXX", but you cannot interact with it at all. Hah! This is a fun prank to pull on your friend's or the general public.

 

[Veraster]

I'll be honest, when I first read the title of this I was thinking someone pulled that old computer prank on you. You create a folder on the desktop and call it something suggestive like "PornXXX". Then you take a screen shot of the desktop. Next you delete the folder and take the screenshot to an image editor like paint and save the image. Finally, set the image as the desktop background and it looks like there is a file on the screen called "PornXXX", but you cannot interact with it at all. Hah! This is a fun prank to pull on your friend's or the general public.

One time someone did one of those pranks to me that was similar to that except they took a picture of the desktop and deleted all the icons lol

 

[Johnaldo]

Tried that too, no success

 

[Multicore]

Try MoveOnBoot Free - Rename/Move/Delete Locked Files on Reboot:
emcosoftware.com/move-on-boot

This will definitely solve your problem.
Just make sure that the file you are trying to delete is not a system file essential for Windows to function properly.
Also, the problem may be due to bad sectors, so run a disk check afterwards.

If this works, press the thanks button- that would be a first for me !

 

[carnageX]

It's a better idea to leave uac off at all times. Don't turn it back on. There's no point in letting a computer you paid for at some point tell you what you can and can't do especially if it's something as stupid as deleting a video.

Horrible idea. UAC is there to prevent users from being heavily infected (although most people just click "Yes" or "Allow" anyway). There's been times where it's saved my butt with drive-by downloads.

Also, the problem may be due to bad sectors, so run a disk check afterwards.

Agreed, I would run a chkdsk to make sure that your HDD doesn't have any bad sectors.

Start > type 'cmd' (without the quotes) > right click > Run as Admin > type in the following:
chkdsk c: /f /r

It will say it cannot lock volume, and ask to run on next boot. Type Y and hit Enter. Reboot your computer and it should go through a disk check (may take a while).