C# deleting a read only file

Question

Hello I'm basically trying to make a button in my application which can delete my %appdata% folder but there's a problem it keeps saying cannot delete a read only file so i decided to do some googling but the problem still continues anyways here's my latest try still didn't work any clue?

What I'm trying to delete is %appdata%/test which also has sub folders.

   private void ClearButton_OnClick(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        string filepath = (Path.Combine(Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData), "test"));
        //Get Currently Applied Access Control
        FileSecurity fileS = File.GetAccessControl(filepath);

        //Update it, Grant Current User Full Control
        SecurityIdentifier cu = WindowsIdentity.GetCurrent().User;
        fileS.SetOwner(cu);
        fileS.SetAccessRule(new FileSystemAccessRule(cu, FileSystemRights.FullControl, AccessControlType.Allow));

        //Update the Access Control on the File
        File.SetAccessControl(filepath, fileS);

        //Delete the file
        File.Delete(filepath);
        Process.Start(Application.ResourceAssembly.Location);
        Environment.Exit(0);
    }

possible duplicate of [How do I delete a read-only file?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/265896/how-do-i-delete-a-read-only-file) — Cyral, Jan 01 '15 at 15:06

SimpleGuy · Answer 1 · 2015-01-02T02:12:31.923

May be you need to take ownership first, if you dont have

using System.IO;
using System.IO;
using System.Security.AccessControl;
using System.Security.Principal;

//Get Currently Applied Access Control
FileSecurity fileS = File.GetAccessControl(filepath);

//Update it, Grant Current User Full Control
SecurityIdentifier cu = WindowsIdentity.GetCurrent().User;
fileS.SetOwner(cu);
fileS.SetAccessRule(new FileSystemAccessRule(cu, FileSystemRights.FullControl, AccessControlType.Allow));

//Update the Access Control on the File
File.SetAccessControl(filepath, fileS);

File.SetAttributes(filePath, FileAttributes.Normal);
File.Delete(filePath);

Also, you will need to run application with administrative privileges.

For this, Right click on your project, Add -> New Item -> Application Manifest File

then replace this line

<requestedExecutionLevel level="asInvoker" uiAccess="false" />

with this

<requestedExecutionLevel level="requireAdministrator" uiAccess="true" />

It will run your application with administrator privileges.

@MrRdy2Lose Edited again. Added step to add manifest file and setting administrative privileges — SimpleGuy, Jan 02 '15 at 02:13
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/349547545/ShareX/2015/01/2015-01-05_23-54-46.png — MrRdy2Lose, Jan 05 '15 at 19:55

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 01 '15 at 15:37

0

Try running the application with Administrative privilege .Some times C drive requires Admin privileges.

answered Jan 01 '15 at 15:37

Jawad Zeb

523
4
18

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 21 '22 at 17:58

0

I was having the same issue when running my application in DEBUG mode. I was able to solve it by simply setting File.IsReadOnly = false; It then deleted with no problem.

answered Jan 21 '22 at 17:58

Gerard Lanphear

21
2

C# deleting a read only file

3 Answers3