Unaccessable folders

[inkleput]

XP Pro SP 2 + updates.

I'm recently seeing for the first time some folders I can't open. I get
an error saying "Access is denied."

The first one I noticed was c:\documents and settings\all users\documents\

Why should I have access to the Administrators files but not this?

Then today I see a folder I don't remember even seeing before, c:\system
volume information\. It also gives me the "Access is denied" error.
There was another one a couple days ago that I forgot the details of.

Of course I checked that I still had "Show hidden files" box checked in
the folders settings.

Am I missing something obvious?


JimL

 

[Shenan Stanley]

XP Pro SP 2 + updates.

I'm recently seeing for the first time some folders I can't open.
I get an error saying "Access is denied."

The first one I noticed was c:\documents and settings\all
users\documents\

Why should I have access to the Administrators files but not this?

Then today I see a folder I don't remember even seeing before,
c:\system volume information\. It also gives me the "Access is
denied" error. There was another one a couple days ago that I
forgot the details of.

Of course I checked that I still had "Show hidden files" box
checked in the folders settings.

Am I missing something obvious?

Google Take ownership - leave the System Volume Information folder alone
(system restore points - you have no need to get in there.)

 

[JS]

Access is Denied Error Message XP Pro: (should work with Media Center)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810881

Also read this MS KB article about how to take ownership of files.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

Understanding and Applying NTFS Permission in Windows XP Professional
http://www.winxpsolution.com/ApplyingNTFSXPPro.aspx

Don't touch the C:\System Volume Information folder and any folders
contained therein.
They are needed and used by the System Restore function.

JS

 

[inkleput]

Google Take ownership - leave the System Volume Information folder alone
(system restore points - you have no need to get in there.)

There are lots of things I don't NEED to get into, but I look anyway. I
guess it comes from the days when I worked in machine and assembler
languages. On top of that I really love utilities that remove all sorts
of things other people put on my computer - for good reason.

JimL

 

[Shenan Stanley]

XP Pro SP 2 + updates.

I'm recently seeing for the first time some folders I can't open.
I get an error saying "Access is denied."

The first one I noticed was c:\documents and settings\all
users\documents\

Why should I have access to the Administrators files but not this?

Then today I see a folder I don't remember even seeing before,
c:\system volume information\. It also gives me the "Access is
denied" error. There was another one a couple days ago that I
forgot the details of.

Of course I checked that I still had "Show hidden files" box
checked in the folders settings.

Am I missing something obvious?

Shenan Stanley said:

Google Take ownership - leave the System Volume Information folder
alone (system restore points - you have no need to get in there.)

There are lots of things I don't NEED to get into, but I look
anyway. I guess it comes from the days when I worked in machine
and assembler languages. On top of that I really love utilities
that remove all sorts of things other people put on my computer -
for good reason.

Then turn off System Restore and that directory should become relatively
empty.
Take Ownership will work just fine there as well.

In the end - everything presented to you everywhere is merely a suggestion -
you get to choose what you do. Whether it is presented so it sounds like a
suggestion or not - that's all it actually ever is.

 

[inkleput]

"Shenan Stanley" <[email protected]> said:

Shenan Stanley said:

Then turn off System Restore and that directory should become relatively
empty.
Take Ownership will work just fine there as well.

In the end - everything presented to you everywhere is merely a
suggestion - you get to choose what you do. Whether it is presented so
it sounds like a suggestion or not - that's all it actually ever is.

JimL

 

[inkleput]

Then turn off System Restore and that directory should become relatively
empty.
Take Ownership will work just fine there as well.

In the end - everything presented to you everywhere is merely a
suggestion - you get to choose what you do. Whether it is presented so
it sounds like a suggestion or not - that's all it actually ever is.

Not necessary. I did the take ownership thing and can see the files now.

The oddest thing to me was how it got to where the All Users Documents
folder got hidden from the admin. There was nothing in there, but I just
don't understand or like being locked out of my own computer. (I know
there are things that even the general operating system cannot even
access.)


JimL

 

[Jim]

Not necessary. I did the take ownership thing and can see the files now.

The oddest thing to me was how it got to where the All Users Documents
folder got hidden from the admin. There was nothing in there, but I just
don't understand or like being locked out of my own computer. (I know
there are things that even the general operating system cannot even
access.)


JimL

It seems to me that the permissions for the All Users tree are not quite
correct. All Users are supposed to be able use this tree.

You will find that the System Volume Information folder can only be accessed
by SYSTEM. An administrator can of course change to permissions for this
or any other folder.
It is advisable to just look in there and see what is kept so hidden.

Jim

 

[inkleput]

Also read this MS KB article about how to take ownership of files.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

Do you have experience or knowledge about reversing this process?

I tried it. I got to the last prompt (do you really want to do this) and
clicking OK locks up the program.

JimL

 

[JS]

What specific file or folder were you try to take ownership of?

JS

 

[inkleput]

Already opened System Volume Information. Thought I might as well lock it
again, but... See post below.

What specific file or folder were you try to take ownership of?

JimL

 

[JS]

This folder is effetely owned by the "System".
The KB article below may be of some help:
"How to gain access to the System Volume Information folder"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309531

JS

 

[inkleput]

BTDT. Several times. Thanks, but now I'm trying to "ungain" access. As
I said, retracing the steps hangs the program.

This folder is effetely owned by the "System".
The KB article below may be of some help:
"How to gain access to the System Volume Information folder"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309531

JimL

 

[JS]

Try using a different account (that has Admin privileges, like the account
named "administrator) and use that account to remove your personal account
from having access to this folder.

JS