---
title: "Why can’t I delete certain files or directories in the Drupal docroot?"
date: "2025-05-08T07:32:24+00:00"
summary: "Learn how to delete protected Drupal files and directories by changing permissions. Solve common 'Permission denied' errors."
image:
type: "article"
url: "/acquia-cloud-platform/add-ons/cloud-ide/help/68751-why-cant-i-delete-certain-files-or-directories-drupal-docroot"
id: "88ce2f4e-6190-449e-8794-1fb85e5f221f"
---

While trying to delete files or directories in the Drupal docroot, you might get the following `Permission denied` messages:

    ide:~$ rm -Rf project
                                            rm: cannot remove 'project/docroot/sites/default/files': Permission denied
                                            rm: cannot remove 'project/docroot/sites/default/default.settings.php': Permission denied
                                            rm: cannot remove 'project/docroot/sites/default/settings.php': Permission denied
                                            rm: cannot remove 'project/docroot/sites/default/default.services.yml': Permission denied

The above issue is related to Drupal permissions. Before you can delete those files or directories, you must change permissions.

To do so, run the following command:

    chmod -R u+w /home/ide/project/docroot/sites/default

You can now delete those files and directories.