Windows 7 Permissions

[pashbe1]

Hi Everyone,

I just upgraded from XP Pro 32bit to Windows7 64bit. My external HDD now does not let me open certain folders or files. I have tried to take permission by the normal methods, but it won't let me. When I re-open the file after supposedly taking permission it has reverted. It tells me "Current Owner: Unable to display current owner."

I realize this is a rant, so don't read further unless you want to be amused:"This is exactly the kind of thing to pisses me the F$%k off about Microsoft. My file, my drive, dont tell me what I can or can't F$*king do with them."

Okay, that out of the way, I am looking forward to your help!

 

[MStele]

Before we blame microsoft, it sounds like you may have had some security features turned on with XP Pro that were tied to your account, and now that your in Win7 with a different account. Permissions are there to protect you in case someone steals your drive, or to keep important files from being overwritten or delete.

Something to try would be to make sure your login into Windows 7 is the same as it was in your XP Pro. Not saying it will work, but you could try.

 

[pashbe1]

Originally posted by: MStele
Before we blame microsoft, it sounds like you may have had some security features turned on with XP Pro that were tied to your account, and now that your in Win7 with a different account. Permissions are there to protect you in case someone steals your drive, or to keep important files from being overwritten or delete.

Something to try would be to make sure your login into Windows 7 is the same as it was in your XP Pro. Not saying it will work, but you could try.

I do blame Microsoft. I resent Big Brother protecting me from myself, without my consent. These features should be optional, not default. If I stupidly want no permissions on my system, that is my problem, and not Microsofts business.

Oh, and btw, the logins are the same. The computer name is the same.

 

[MStele]

Those security options are not default. They can only be used on purpose. I only asked about them because it sounds like it could be related to your problem. I can offer up a few ideas but unfortunately I'm not sure what it could be then, so hopefully someone with more knowledge will post.

I still don't believe this is anything Microsoft did, because your having a unique problem that doesn't seem to affect most people. My external drives are just fine, and I moved from XP Pro to Win 7 Pro 64. Did you run scandisk to see if any files are corrupt? What about trying to access them from a different machine? Was the drive used for automated backup purposes that required the use of dedicated backup software?

 

[pashbe1]

okay, I apologize sincerely for being snappy. I'm just really p'o'd because instead of working and earning for the last 5 days I've been fixing upgrade related issues. Thank you for taking the time to help.

Here is my work around which may indicate to a more informed person why this happened. The affected files where only images. I copied each one to my desktop and back to the original folder. That is all it took.

Which leads to another irritation. I used the "cut" option to cut and paste the affected folders to the desktop. But of course through some virtue of Win7 they only copied, and when I copied them back I had to "merge" the like named folders as the much saner "replace" option no longer seems to exist.

Problem solved by work around.

 

[slugg]

I know this is a really old thread, but I had a similar problem and couldn't really find a clear solution anywhere. I'm posting my solution for anyone else with a similar problem who has stumbled upon this thread via the forum's search feature, as I have.

There are two major parts.

Part 1 - changing ownership:

1. Right click on the folder being affected and go to "Properties."
2. Click on the "Security" tab.
3. Click the "Advanced" button.
4. In the new window, click the "Owner" tab.
5. Click the "edit" button, which will bring up a UAC prompt (you should allow it).
6. Select the user or group that you'd like to give ownership to.
7. Make sure "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects" is checked. Click Apply.
8. Click OK if you get a popup dialog window.
9. Click OK on the bottom of the "Advanced Security Settings for Users" window.
10. Click OK on the bottom of the Users Properties window.

Part 2 - giving permission:

1. Right click on the folder being affected and go to "Properties."
2. Click on the "Security" tab.
3. Click the "Advanced" button.
4. Make sure you're under the "Permissions" tab.
5. Click the "Change Permissions" button.
6. Select the user or user group you'd like to give permission to.
7. Click the "Edit" button.
8. In the new window, make sure "Apply to:" is set to "This folder, subfolders, and files."
9. Make sure "Full controll" is allowed under permissions.
10. Click OK.
11. Make sure "Replace all child object permissions with inheritable permissions from this object" is checked.
12. Click Apply.
13. Click "Yes" in the popup dialog.
14. Click OK.
15. Click OK.
16. Click OK.

You can now delete that entire folder. Or move it, or do whatever you want with it.

 

[SteveWellsNH]

Found your old thread. Looks to be useful. Just got new Windows 7 64bit Acer Aspire 17" after 8 years with Inspiron 8200 XP. What an upgrade!

Problem is - the Win 7 changes to permissions are preventing me from using the system the same as i did with XP

I used to be able to give my self Admin privilidges on my single user laptop and go into sensitive files/folder areas carefully

But that is all changed with Windows 7. I run into files all the time that I can't access because I don't have permission. And when I follow the prompts to change permissions I just go round and round, never getting the permissions even though it appears I gave themn to me.

Is there some link you have found that provides an overview of Win 7 file/folder security that the layman can understand?

~ Steve

 

[dr.tikitimes]

I access other hard drives and files and get lazy drilling thru all the settings.
I found this and perhaps it will help you.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind...ership-to-explorer-right-click-menu-in-vista/
It works for me on Windows 7 32 bit.

 

[dr.tikitimes]

P.S I just tried it on a Windows 7 64 bit rig and it worked fine.

 

[corkyg]

Sometimes just taking ownership works in Win 7. And, a right click on a program can give "Run as Administrator." And, you can also just turn UAC off.