User Access to Files

[bboy]

I've changed my security habits, and want to setup a user account for
everyday use instead of the Admin account I now use.

How do I allow the new user account access to all the files and folders I
already have. I should mention I'm on a small network which shares music,
video, and photo files. These number several hundred thousand files on my
system alone, so I don't want to have to move them around or have to change
the share address on the other 4 network partners. I'm running XP Pro.

I've spent several days searching through the various forums and have found
nothing. I had thought of changing the target "home folder" or "my docs" of
the new user to my existing "my docs" but am leery as I have not read much
about this practice.

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I've changed my security habits, and want to setup a user account
for everyday use instead of the Admin account I now use.

How do I allow the new user account access to all the files and
folders I already have. I should mention I'm on a small network
which shares music, video, and photo files. These number several
hundred thousand files on my system alone, so I don't want to have
to move them around or have to change the share address on the
other 4 network partners. I'm running XP Pro.

I've spent several days searching through the various forums and
have found nothing. I had thought of changing the target "home
folder" or "my docs" of the new user to my existing "my docs" but
am leery as I have not read much about this practice.

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.

You'd have been best served having *not* shared things straight from your
profile directory. ;-)

Since you have - you may need to recreate the shares - at least, to truly
(and in the wisest/safest manner) accomplish what it is you want to do.

Create the new user.
Log on as the new user.
Log off and log back on as the administrative user you have been using.
Take note of the shares (just how many can you have?) and their permissions.
Move the associated folders to a new location - I suggest *not* a location
in any profile directory - better elsewhere (C:\<directory name> or
D:\<directory name> if you have a secondary partition of D, etc.)
Recreate the shares so it points to the new folder(s).

The move - if on the same partition - should be almost instantaneous. Just
the re-creation of the shares will take up your time.

How are you backing these up right now (hope you don't say, "I don't"...)?

 

[bboy]

You'd have been best served having *not* shared things straight from your
profile directory. ;-)

Since you have - you may need to recreate the shares - at least, to truly
(and in the wisest/safest manner) accomplish what it is you want to do.

Create the new user.
Log on as the new user.
Log off and log back on as the administrative user you have been using.
Take note of the shares (just how many can you have?) and their permissions.
Move the associated folders to a new location - I suggest *not* a location
in any profile directory - better elsewhere (C:\<directory name> or
D:\<directory name> if you have a secondary partition of D, etc.)
Recreate the shares so it points to the new folder(s).

The move - if on the same partition - should be almost instantaneous. Just
the re-creation of the shares will take up your time.

How are you backing these up right now (hope you don't say, "I don't"...)?

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way



Many Thanks ... I'm backing up to Mozy ($4.99/mo unlimited is unbeatable). I had a feeling the shares would require reissue. Your suggestion is doable, and I understand your instructions.

I'm contemplating the purchase of several 1TB external drives for use as
network video, music & photo drives, and move all data files over. This
would allow further data collection and expansion, free up the "C" drive, and
secure my system.

Once again, Many Thanks
Bboy

 

[Barry Schwarz]

Why not create a new admin account and use it to downgrade your
current account to user?