Why Access denied when removing files/folder on Windows

Question

What does really happen when I try to remove a folder on windows (7, 2008, 2012) and get the "famous":

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Folder Access denied

What I've done :

• I granted "Everyone" on the folder
• I tried to delete it under LOCAL SYSTEM (psexec)
• I ran chkdsk /f before (no issue).

Nothing works, but software like Unlocker ! (By the way, It tells me that no one is handling the folder)

It does the job, but could you tell me more about this behavior?

(And what kind of trick Unlocker does apply to just make it right ??)

Answer 1

This is User Access Control (UAC). If you give modify or greater permissions to Users then you can avoid this prompt. You could also disable UAC. Or better yet, don't mess with folders that you shouldn't be messing with, Microsoft purposely put this prompt in to avoid normal users hosing their system.