protected files

ernie rickert · Post by **ernie rickert** » Sat Apr 03, 2010 1:03 am

When I try to delete my duplicate files (to the recycle bin)I am told they are protected. What can I do to get rid of them (some are triplicates and quads). Help, please

Also, how do I join?

DV · Post by DV » Sat Apr 03, 2010 7:53 pm

Protected files are controlled by the options in the 'Options' drop down menu. They are protected for a good reason though - don't delete them unless you know what you are doing!
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ernie rickert · Post by **ernie rickert** » Sun Apr 04, 2010 2:56 am

Thanks for the quick answer. Below are some of the files that are coming up. Safe to delete the dups, you think?

ernie rickert · Post by **ernie rickert** » Sun Apr 04, 2010 3:02 am

forget it. I'm not that brave. Thanks for the help.

DON STERNBERG · Post by **DON STERNBERG** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 7:26 pm

ALL OF MY DUPLICATE FILES ARE PROTECTED. HOW CAN I DELETE THE DUPLICATES?

Wossy · Post by **Wossy** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:45 pm

"Protected files are controlled by the options in the 'Options' drop down menu. They are protected for a good reason though - don't delete them unless you know what you are doing!"

Naeko · Post by **Naeko** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 5:01 pm

Another reason that files come up protected (if you are using VISTA) is because the files were originally created by a different user account. This can occur if you are migrating files between different machines thru use of an external hard drive. For example, if you bring in files via external hard drive that were created on a winXP machine into a PC that is using Vista, those files from the winXP machine will be protected from automated deletion.

Since Duplicate Cleaner doesn't consider the situation where you have to click the permission window to continue the deletion of such files, you will have to use a workaround if you want to delete those duplicates. The workaround is to run Duplicate Cleaner as administrator. To do that, right click on the Duplicate Cleaner and pick Run As Administrator.