Member Avatar for buddyb

I'm using WS_FTP and I cannot discover what the deal is. I have access to my folders, but I cannot create a new folder, nor can I delete folders. I do have the right trigger set for deleting folders with files in them, but I keep getting "Permission Denied." I've used another FTP client and get the same result. I'm just wondering what the 550 error means..anyone? I can transfer files all day long.
Thanks,
BuddyB

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by pjtomli1

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A few practical checks that commonly fix the Kind of FTP delete/create failures described by and the cleanup-success reported by .

Start with the account and ACLs. Confirm which Windows account the FTP session is actually using, then verify NTFS permissions on the target folder and its parent. The account needs Delete/Modify rights (and no higher-priority Deny ACE). Quick check:

icacls "C:\path\to\ftproot\folder"

If the FTP site points to a UNC/share or virtual directory, remember you need both share and NTFS rights for the service identity (the FTP/worker identity or the Connect-As account), not just the interactive user.

Look for locks and open handles next. A process holding a handle to a file or directory will prevent deletion; that can explain why restarting IIS (as found) suddenly freed the name. Use Process Explorer, Resource Monitor, or Sysinternals Handle to find and close handles:

handle.exe "C:\path\to\ftproot\folder"

Check the FTP server side too. Verify FTP authorization rules (Read/Write allowed for that user), any virtual-directory mappings, and the server logs (IIS FTP logs under C:\Windows\System32\LogFiles\FTPSVC*) to see the exact commands and response codes the server is returning. If local deletion (RDP/Explorer) succeeds but FTP fails, the problem is server/auth configuration; if local delete fails, it is an ACL or lock issue.

If everything looks correct but deletes still fail, recycling or restarting only the FTP service or app pool often clears stale handles without a full server reboot—do that during a maintenance window. Useful references: Handle (Sysinternals), icacls, and .

Member Avatar for pjtomli1

Hi, I'm having the same problem too! I'm using SmartFTP but, whenever I try to delete this particular folder, I get an error "550 cannot delete specified file". This is really annoying me coz I have deadlines to meet!!! I'm working on how to solve it so I'll post another reply if I manage to fix it.

Member Avatar for pjtomli1

hi, you have to restart iis completely. then you can delete the folders that "do not exist"

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