Administrator can’t see folders/files of user account

[AdamsDad]

As the Administrator of an XP Home computer I am not able to view any
of the files of one of the User Accounts. I set up 3 Limited Accounts
at the same time, when the computer (HPzd7000) was new. When I use
Windows Explorer to view files, I can see all of the user files except
for folders and files for the account named "Brett", even though the
account type is Limited; I get an "Access is denied" message. If I
open My Computer, Brett’s files do not even appear in the listing of
folders and files; all other user accounts do.

Any ideas about why this occurs?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

As the Administrator of an XP Home computer I am not able to view any
of the files of one of the User Accounts. I set up 3 Limited Accounts
at the same time, when the computer (HPzd7000) was new. When I use
Windows Explorer to view files, I can see all of the user files except
for folders and files for the account named "Brett", even though the
account type is Limited; I get an "Access is denied" message. If I
open My Computer, Brett’s files do not even appear in the listing of
folders and files; all other user accounts do.

Any ideas about why this occurs?

Yes - Brett is smart - Brett removed the administrator from the access list
of Brett's files.
You can take ownership of the files and give Brett permissions back - but
unless you are smart too, Brett will know.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

As the Administrator of an XP Home computer I am not able to
view any of the files of one of the User Accounts. I set up 3
Limited Accounts at the same time, when the computer (HPzd7000) was new.
When I use Windows Explorer to view files, I can see all of the user
files except for folders and files for the account named "Brett", even
though the account type is Limited; I get an "Access is denied"
message. If I open My Computer, Brett’s files do not even appear in the
listing of folders and files; all other user accounts do.

Any ideas about why this occurs?

Yes - Brett is smart - Brett removed the administrator from
the access list of Brett's files.
You can take ownership of the files and give Brett permissions
back - but unless you are smart too, Brett will know.

I went to Safe Mode and added Administrator and AdamsDad to the
Limited account, rebooted, but still have the same problem...no access
to files and folders. I have checked back in Safe Mode to assure the
permissions are still there; they are.

So now what ???

You did not take ownership. Access Denied (in this case) has nothing to do
with you being in a certain group (although you must be in the
administrators group to take ownership) and all about who owns the files and
who has Read/Execute permissions on the files/folders.

How to Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

How to disable simplified sharing & set permissions
on a shared folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307874

Research - wonderful thing. =)

Remember - as I said - if you TAKE OWNERSHIP of the files and do not grant
Brett access back to the files - Brett will know - and if they are smart -
they will still know unless you take further steps to not only take
ownership, but give the administrator permissions and then grant Brett back
ownership of the files. Luckily you have XP Home, so Brett cannot keep you
from snooping easily without a third party application to encrypt their
files.

Perhaps there are a few other things you should look at:

How To Create a Custom Default User Profile
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/319974

HOW TO: Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279783

HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove Special Permissions for Files and
Folders in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308419

Doug's Windows XP Security Console
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm