Folder Permissions Headache

[Shoe]

I am spinning my wheels trying to change permissions for a folder so
that I can work with the files. Specifically, I am trying to download
a new file and place in that folder. I get a denied message. The
security settings now say that the permissions are set for "System".
The other options are administrator and me. When I try to change to
administrator, the changes do not take and permissions return to
System. I have looked at Microsoft help and knowledge base but could
not find anything useful. Any suggestions?

 

[Big Steel]

I am spinning my wheels trying to change permissions for a folder so
that I can work with the files. Specifically, I am trying to download
a new file and place in that folder. I get a denied message. The
security settings now say that the permissions are set for "System".
The other options are administrator and me. When I try to change to
administrator, the changes do not take and permissions return to
System. I have looked at Microsoft help and knowledge base but could
not find anything useful. Any suggestions?

Have you tried logging in with the hidden admin account? The one that's
used on XP that Windows 7 doesn't give you out the box to use that has
all the power your admin account doesn't have.

<http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind...idden-administrator-account-on-windows-vista/>

 

[Bruce Hagen]

I am spinning my wheels trying to change permissions for a folder so
that I can work with the files. Specifically, I am trying to download
a new file and place in that folder. I get a denied message. The
security settings now say that the permissions are set for "System".
The other options are administrator and me. When I try to change to
administrator, the changes do not take and permissions return to
System. I have looked at Microsoft help and knowledge base but could
not find anything useful. Any suggestions?

How to Take Ownership of a Item in Vista and Windows 7
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67717-take-ownership-file.html

 

[Paul]

I am spinning my wheels trying to change permissions for a folder so
that I can work with the files. Specifically, I am trying to download
a new file and place in that folder. I get a denied message. The
security settings now say that the permissions are set for "System".
The other options are administrator and me. When I try to change to
administrator, the changes do not take and permissions return to
System. I have looked at Microsoft help and knowledge base but could
not find anything useful. Any suggestions?

What is the name of the folder you're trying to use ?

One of the most resistant folders in Windows 7, is "System Volume Information".
It should always return Access Denied. I can't even list the contents with
"nfi.exe". I can get in there with Linux, but some of the things in there
are not real files (when you run a checksum on the files, the checksum is
equal to zero).

If you're going to be experimenting in there, I recommend making a
System Image style backup first. If you trash the computer, and it
will no longer boot, you'll have an escape route. You should also
have, bare minimum, a recovery CD. (The two things you want, as
insurance, are on the left of this dialog... You store the System
Image, on an external disk drive, for best safety. I backup up
C: and SYSTEM RESERVED partitions with this.)

http://www.davescomputertips.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/open_system_image.png

Paul

 

[Char Jackson]

What is the name of the folder you're trying to use ?

One of the most resistant folders in Windows 7, is "System Volume Information".

I sincerely doubt anyone would download something and try to place it
there. I can't think of a single reason for the average user to even
try to look in there, let alone try to store anything there.

 

[Paul]

I sincerely doubt anyone would download something and try to place it
there. I can't think of a single reason for the average user to even
try to look in there, let alone try to store anything there.

The folders most people are curious about, are the ones that
"won't let them in"

Some people just won't take "no" for an answer

I'm sure the mystery will be revealed here eventually...
It's all part of the "let's play twenty questions" nature of USENET.

Paul

 

[Rhonda Lea Kirk Fries]

I am spinning my wheels trying to change permissions for a folder so
that I can work with the files. Specifically, I am trying to download
a new file and place in that folder. I get a denied message. The
security settings now say that the permissions are set for "System".
The other options are administrator and me. When I try to change to
administrator, the changes do not take and permissions return to
System. I have looked at Microsoft help and knowledge base but could
not find anything useful. Any suggestions?

First read this:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb968829(VS.85).aspx

The following is a list of junction points and the folders to which they
redirect:

Application Data - C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming
Cookies - C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies
Documents and Settings - C:\Users\{user name}\
History - C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\History
Local Settings - C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local
My Documents - C:\Users\{user name}\Documents
NetHood - C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network
Shortcuts
PrintHood - C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer
Shortcuts
Recent - C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
SendTo - C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
Start Menu - C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start
Menu
Templates - C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming
Temporary Internet Files - C:\Users\{user
name}\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files

 

[Jeff Layman]

The folders most people are curious about, are the ones that
"won't let them in"

Some people just won't take "no" for an answer

I'm sure the mystery will be revealed here eventually...
It's all part of the "let's play twenty questions" nature of USENET.

I often wonder why folders like SVI and Junction Points show up in a
file manager at all - even with "Show hidden files and folders"
selected. What is the point? Maybe there should be a "super-hidden"
class of file and folder whic h only MS know how to reach!

 

[DanS]

I often wonder why folders like SVI and Junction Points
show up in a file manager at all - even with "Show hidden
files and folders" selected. What is the point? Maybe
there should be a "super-hidden" class of file and folder
whic h only MS know how to reach!

http://www.tomstricks.com/how-to-create-a-super-hidden-file-or-folder-in-windows-
vista-or-in-xp/

....which may or may not be what you are looking for, or may or may not be a wise thing
to try to do...

......and may not even apply to Windows7 as the article says XP & Vista.

....but....since you asked.

(Legal Disclaimer: Don't shoot the messenger. Your mileage may vary.)

 

[Jeff Layman]

http://www.tomstricks.com/how-to-create-a-super-hidden-file-or-folder-in-windows-
vista-or-in-xp/

....which may or may not be what you are looking for, or may or may not be a wise thing
to try to do...

......and may not even apply to Windows7 as the article says XP& Vista.

....but....since you asked.

(Legal Disclaimer: Don't shoot the messenger. Your mileage may vary.)

I guess it would work in Win7 too. But if you look at the comments on
that page, you'll it isn't all it's cracked up to be. Mind you, the
final comment does offer food for thought...

 

[DanS]

I guess it would work in Win7 too. But if you look at the
comments on that page, you'll it isn't all it's cracked up
to be. Mind you, the final comment does offer food for
thought...

A little more digging makes it look like Explorer is the one hiding the files, not some bizarro OS setting.

I just installed "Total Commander" and when set to show all files and folders including hidden and
system ones, everything is visible.

(Well, I can't say "everything".........here's what I did.....)

Note: This is done in XP I've got running in a VM.......

1) Use Exporer to go to LocalSettings\TIF
2) Explorer shows no folders, shows only a few cookies, and some cache'd pages.
3) CMD prompt to LocalSetting\TIF.....(this is weird)....

dir shows AntiPhishing directory

dir /ah shows only the Content.IE5 directory
(I thought the /ah switch was INCLUDE hidden files,
not ONLY show hidden.)

4) Checked with 'Total Commander', and one TC was set to show all files, both AntiPhishing &
Content.IE5 showed directly withing TC.

5) D/l'd and installed Explorer2, set *that* to show all files, and that one showed neither AntiPhishing nor
Content.IE5 under TIF.


Not knowing the exact reason why the two third-party apps are different, from each other even, it is
apparent that those directories are not shown in Explorer....because that's how it was written.

 

[Jeff Layman]

A little more digging makes it look like Explorer is the one hiding the files, not some bizarro OS setting.

I just installed "Total Commander" and when set to show all files and folders including hidden and
system ones, everything is visible.

(Well, I can't say "everything".........here's what I did.....)

Note: This is done in XP I've got running in a VM.......

1) Use Exporer to go to LocalSettings\TIF
2) Explorer shows no folders, shows only a few cookies, and some cache'd pages.
3) CMD prompt to LocalSetting\TIF.....(this is weird)....

dir shows AntiPhishing directory

dir /ah shows only the Content.IE5 directory
(I thought the /ah switch was INCLUDE hidden files,
not ONLY show hidden.)

4) Checked with 'Total Commander', and one TC was set to show all files, both AntiPhishing&
Content.IE5 showed directly withing TC.

5) D/l'd and installed Explorer2, set *that* to show all files, and that one showed neither AntiPhishing nor
Content.IE5 under TIF.


Not knowing the exact reason why the two third-party apps are different, from each other even, it is
apparent that those directories are not shown in Explorer....because that's how it was written.

I have this feeling of "deja vu" - see my post above "How
c:\windows\assembly appears in file managers"!

 

[DanS]

I have this feeling of "deja vu" - see my post above "How
c:\windows\assembly appears in file managers"!

Yes....deja vu. I didn't read that original thread because it dealt with .Net, and I just really
don't care about .Net. (Even though I'll need to start developing with it shortly.)

.....but yes. It seems the file managers handle things differently. Why? It could be the
library/tools used to make the applications.

The FindFirstFile & FindNextFile APIs have been around forever.....so what about the
..Net calls to do the same thing. Maybe internally, and being part of the "managed"
"framework", those DIR-like functions for .Net filter results.

Maybe "Total Commander" is still using FindFirst/FindNext file calls that return those
folders, maybe the others are using a Delphi lobaray, and others are built on .Net.

 

[Menno Hershberger]

I am spinning my wheels trying to change permissions for a folder so
that I can work with the files. Specifically, I am trying to download
a new file and place in that folder. I get a denied message. The
security settings now say that the permissions are set for "System".
The other options are administrator and me. When I try to change to
administrator, the changes do not take and permissions return to
System. I have looked at Microsoft help and knowledge base but could
not find anything useful. Any suggestions?

Not too long ago my tagline was "Long Live Fat32".
I have three computers here that all dual boot XP and Windows 7. The only
reason I have Windows 7 is because I have to work on computers with Windows
7 so I have to know my way around. Under normal conditions all my computers
are running XP. All my XP partitions are Fat32. I know it wastes space but
I have plenty of space. Even XP is a pain in the ass with file sharing if
it's formatted in NTFS.
I like to be able to move files between computers into any folders I want
without all the damn access denied and permission errors. And passwords.
There's no one here but me and my dog and I have no use for all the damn
security.
I can understand it in big business, but the majority of people I deal with
could care less about all that crap. People bring in Windows 7 computers to
be worked on and I'll bet at least 3/4 of them have a password just to run
windows. Most of the people aren't even aware that they don't *have* to
have a password. New installations almost make it look like you *have* to
have one. It's an extra pain when you have a lot of rebooting to do when
installing/uninstalling stuff.
Someone sent me a batch file once that you could run in XP (with NTFS) that
pretty much "unsecured" most everything on the drive so you could work with
it. I wonder if there's such a thing for Windows 7!

 

[Rob]

You need

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind...ership-to-explorer-right-click-menu-in-vista/

Which does work for W7 as well.

 

[Shoe]

You need

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind...ership-to-explorer-right-click-menu-in-vista/

Which does work for W7 as well.

Thanks for the info. This looks like an extremely useful tool to have.
One of the things I learned in trying to resolve this problem is not
to left click on a folder tha I want to delete. Click on another
folder, then go to the folder to be deleted and right click on it.
Usually, Windows will then allow deletion.