Getting Access Denied for folder as Administrator

On a Windows Server 2012 R2 machine, logged in as domain administrator trying to access the c:\users\public\desktop folder, getting access denied. This machine is the domain controller.

How can I get access to this folder?

1. Using takeown from cmd.exe using runas as the local domain administrator:

C:\Users\Public>takeown /f c:\users\public\desktop
ERROR: Access is denied.

2. Tried icacls

C:\Users\Public>icacls Desktop /t /grant Everyone:F
Desktop: Access is denied.
Successfully processed 0 files; Failed processing 1 files

3. Viewing it via explorer when logged in as domain administrator