File Access

[The Old Bloke]

Vista Home Premium.

This is my home PC, and I have Administrator rights. How can I get full
access to every file and directory on my PC?

Regards
Doug

 

[Mike Brannigan]

Vista Home Premium.

This is my home PC, and I have Administrator rights. How can I get full
access to every file and directory on my PC?

Regards
Doug

What files and folders do you believe you do not have access to? And why do
you need access to them ?

 

[Rock]

Vista Home Premium.

This is my home PC, and I have Administrator rights. How can I get full
access to every file and directory on my PC?

What specific folders are you talking about? Without knowing more here is
some info.

There are certain folders that you don't need access too because they don't
contain data, they contain a pointer to the location in Vista where those
files are located.

These folders are visible because you elected to show hidden files/folders
and display protected Operating system files and folders. They are hidden
for a reason. They hold no data.

Certain folders used in XP, such as Documents and Settings, were brought
into Vista for compatibility for legacy apps. They are not used to store
data. They appear dimmed with the shortcut arrow and give access denied. If
you want to see what folder it points to, open a elevated command prompt,
navigate to the folder that contains the folder in question and give the
command:
dir /al

Junction points are designated by <Junction> and the folder to which it
points is at the end of the line in square brackets. Do not change the
permissions on these junction points. It can cause problems for the same
legacy apps they are they for in the first place.

From a post by Jimmy Brush here is a list of the these XP folders and their
corresponding locations in Vista:
Windows XP Location Windows Vista Location
\Documents and Settings \Users
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\My Documents \Users\$USER$\Documents
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\My Documents\My Music \Users\$USER$\Music
\Documents and Settings \$USER$\My Documents\My Pictures
\Users\$USER$\Pictures
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\My Documents\My Videos
\Users\$USER$\Videos
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\Application Data
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\Cookies
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\Local Settings
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Local
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\NetHood
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\PrintHood
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\Recent
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\SendTo
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\Start Menu
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\Templates
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates\Documents and
Settings\$USER$\Local Settings\Application Data
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Local
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\Local Settings\History
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\History
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files
\Documents and Settings\All Users \ProgramData
\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data \ProgramData
\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop \Users\Public\Desktop
\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents \Users\Public\Documents
\Documents and Settings\All Users\Favorites \Users\Public\Favorites
\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu
\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
\Documents and Settings\All Users\Templates
\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Templates
\Documents and Settings\Default User \Users\Default "

 

[The Old Bloke]

What files and folders do you believe you do not have access to? And why
do you need access to them ?

--

OK. First when I tried to bring Outlook 2003 into Vista I was prevented
from bringing the following files in, because they are kept under
Application Data. These files are outlook.xml. outlook.NK2 ,etc. This was
access denied.

Then I installed my legal copy of Everest Ultimate. The licence tells me to
add a .txt to the Everest in Program Files. Access denied.

Why do I need a reason? It is simply a home PC, and I know what I want to
do. Pls help

Regards
Doug

 

[The Old Bloke]

See my answer to Mike

What specific folders are you talking about? Without knowing more here is
some info.

There are certain folders that you don't need access too because they
don't contain data, they contain a pointer to the location in Vista where
those files are located.

These folders are visible because you elected to show hidden files/folders
and display protected Operating system files and folders. They are hidden
for a reason. They hold no data.

Certain folders used in XP, such as Documents and Settings, were brought
into Vista for compatibility for legacy apps. They are not used to store
data. They appear dimmed with the shortcut arrow and give access denied.
If you want to see what folder it points to, open a elevated command
prompt, navigate to the folder that contains the folder in question and
give the command:
dir /al

Junction points are designated by <Junction> and the folder to which it
points is at the end of the line in square brackets. Do not change the
permissions on these junction points. It can cause problems for the same
legacy apps they are they for in the first place.

From a post by Jimmy Brush here is a list of the these XP folders and
their corresponding locations in Vista:
Windows XP Location Windows Vista Location
\Documents and Settings \Users
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\My Documents \Users\$USER$\Documents
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\My Documents\My Music \Users\$USER$\Music
\Documents and Settings \$USER$\My Documents\My Pictures
\Users\$USER$\Pictures
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\My Documents\My Videos
\Users\$USER$\Videos
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\Application Data
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\Cookies
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\Local Settings
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Local
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\NetHood
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\PrintHood
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\Recent
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\SendTo
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\Start Menu
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\Templates
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates\Documents and
Settings\$USER$\Local Settings\Application Data
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Local
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\Local Settings\History
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\History
\Documents and Settings\$USER$\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files
\Users\$USER$\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files
\Documents and Settings\All Users \ProgramData
\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data \ProgramData
\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop \Users\Public\Desktop
\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents \Users\Public\Documents
\Documents and Settings\All Users\Favorites \Users\Public\Favorites
\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu
\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
\Documents and Settings\All Users\Templates
\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Templates
\Documents and Settings\Default User \Users\Default "

 

[mikeyhsd]

the Application Data contents have been moved to a similar folder under USERS - USER NAME. there maybe an option in Outlook to show the complete NEW path.

what kind of file are you trying to change to
..txt
there maybe a reasonable reason why the system does not want to allow you.
it is not unusual to get a permission window to click on to say yes this is what I really want to do.

these things are usually caused the USC, user access control.
built in security to prevent programs (virus/malware) from making unauthorized system changes.




(e-mail address removed)

What files and folders do you believe you do not have access to? And why
do you need access to them ?

--

OK. First when I tried to bring Outlook 2003 into Vista I was prevented
from bringing the following files in, because they are kept under
Application Data. These files are outlook.xml. outlook.NK2 ,etc. This was
access denied.

Then I installed my legal copy of Everest Ultimate. The licence tells me to
add a .txt to the Everest in Program Files. Access denied.

Why do I need a reason? It is simply a home PC, and I know what I want to
do. Pls help

Regards
Doug

 

[The Old Bloke]

No I have disabled UAC. It is not that. I know precisely what I want to do. I don't want people to ask me why. But I have answered this in this thread.

The question still is, "How can I get access to everything?" If I want to be locked out I could buy a Mac, or have a System Administrator.

Regards
Doug
the Application Data contents have been moved to a similar folder under USERS - USER NAME. there maybe an option in Outlook to show the complete NEW path.

what kind of file are you trying to change to
.txt
there maybe a reasonable reason why the system does not want to allow you.
it is not unusual to get a permission window to click on to say yes this is what I really want to do.

these things are usually caused the USC, user access control.
built in security to prevent programs (virus/malware) from making unauthorized system changes.




(e-mail address removed)

What files and folders do you believe you do not have access to? And why
do you need access to them ?

--

OK. First when I tried to bring Outlook 2003 into Vista I was prevented
from bringing the following files in, because they are kept under
Application Data. These files are outlook.xml. outlook.NK2 ,etc. This was
access denied.

Then I installed my legal copy of Everest Ultimate. The licence tells me to
add a .txt to the Everest in Program Files. Access denied.

Why do I need a reason? It is simply a home PC, and I know what I want to
do. Pls help

Regards
Doug

 

[R. McCarty]

In Vista, the Ownership of certain Folders & Files is assigned to the
"Trusted Installer". It is possible to re-assign or overwrite Ownership
and the ACLs for any number of secured folder trees. HOWEVER,
it can break other things and cause problems that won't be readily
visible. This is a "Tuning/Adjustment" that can backfire on you. I'd be
reluctant to make changes like that. If you do attempt it - be sure to
take a system image beforehand.

It might be helpful to do a web search on "Trusted Installer" and how
it functions within Vista.

No I have disabled UAC. It is not that. I know precisely what I want to
do. I don't want people to ask me why. But I have answered this in this
thread.

The question still is, "How can I get access to everything?" If I want to
be locked out I could buy a Mac, or have a System Administrator.

Regards
Doug
the Application Data contents have been moved to a similar folder under
USERS - USER NAME. there maybe an option in Outlook to show the complete NEW
path.

what kind of file are you trying to change to
.txt
there maybe a reasonable reason why the system does not want to allow you.
it is not unusual to get a permission window to click on to say yes this
is what I really want to do.

these things are usually caused the USC, user access control.
built in security to prevent programs (virus/malware) from making
unauthorized system changes.




(e-mail address removed)

What files and folders do you believe you do not have access to? And why
do you need access to them ?

--

OK. First when I tried to bring Outlook 2003 into Vista I was prevented
from bringing the following files in, because they are kept under
Application Data. These files are outlook.xml. outlook.NK2 ,etc. This
was
access denied.

Then I installed my legal copy of Everest Ultimate. The licence tells
me to
add a .txt to the Everest in Program Files. Access denied.

Why do I need a reason? It is simply a home PC, and I know what I want
to
do. Pls help

Regards
Doug

 

[The Old Bloke]

In Vista, the Ownership of certain Folders & Files is assigned to the
"Trusted Installer". It is possible to re-assign or overwrite Ownership
and the ACLs for any number of secured folder trees. HOWEVER,
it can break other things and cause problems that won't be readily
visible. This is a "Tuning/Adjustment" that can backfire on you. I'd be
reluctant to make changes like that. If you do attempt it - be sure to
take a system image beforehand.

It might be helpful to do a web search on "Trusted Installer" and how
it functions within Vista.

Thanks Mate.
I only have a very basic install so far. It is a home installation, and no
server or "workgroup" involved. Only one user. As you can see from my
initial problems, I can't move forward till I solve these issues. If the
whole thing goes bellyup, so be it. I have my old XP PC which is what I am
using to type this response.

Regards
Doug

 

[Richard Urban]

The O/S is what it is. I have learned to live with it in this fashion. It is
NOT going to allow me to do certain things that I could do in older systems.
If I don't like it - I have the option of changing to a different O/S that
will allow me to do exactly what I want to do when I want to do it.

I also know that there is no such modern O/S. They all impose constraints
upon me, as a user.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

 

[The Old Bloke]

The O/S is what it is. I have learned to live with it in this fashion. It
is NOT going to allow me to do certain things that I could do in older
systems. If I don't like it - I have the option of changing to a
different O/S that will allow me to do exactly what I want to do when I
want to do it.

I also know that there is no such modern O/S. They all impose constraints
upon me, as a user.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address).

..

So you are saying that I can't fully restore Outlook 2003. Without the
files I mentioned all quick-type addresses have to be learnt again. And I
can't register my Everest software, and I can't .....

Well, I still have my XP PC. I am sure I will crack these things, and if I
can't, I will be one hell of a critic of Vista.

There are many ways to fix this problem on the web, but they all differ.
When I find a consensus I will post it. Guys, I don't need a reason to
access everything! Guys, I have been retired for 8 years. Before that I was
Sys admin for 98 and sys admin for Unix (Silicon Graphics).

Can some non MVP help this old bloke with his problems?

Doug

 

[Richard Urban]

You don't restore Word. You uninstall/reinstall/repair install from the
original media. I have had to do this numerous times since Office 95 onward.

In one case a few years ago, the uninstaller for Office got corrupted. I
could not uninstall Office 95 to install Office 97. I could not reinstall
Office 95 either because I was told there was a previous version that had to
be uninstalled. Catch 22!

I had, by then, begun to use imaging software. I was able to go back 5-6
months to a point where the uninstaller was not corrupted - and work from
there.

Sometimes you just can't do the things that you would like to do. You find a
way to work around the short comings, whether they be real or perceived.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

The O/S is what it is. I have learned to live with it in this fashion. It
is NOT going to allow me to do certain things that I could do in older
systems. If I don't like it - I have the option of changing to a
different O/S that will allow me to do exactly what I want to do when I
want to do it.

I also know that there is no such modern O/S. They all impose constraints
upon me, as a user.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address).

.

So you are saying that I can't fully restore Outlook 2003. Without the
files I mentioned all quick-type addresses have to be learnt again. And I
can't register my Everest software, and I can't .....

Well, I still have my XP PC. I am sure I will crack these things, and if
I can't, I will be one hell of a critic of Vista.

There are many ways to fix this problem on the web, but they all differ.
When I find a consensus I will post it. Guys, I don't need a reason to
access everything! Guys, I have been retired for 8 years. Before that I
was Sys admin for 98 and sys admin for Unix (Silicon Graphics).

Can some non MVP help this old bloke with his problems?

Doug

 

[thetruthhurts]

In terms of securing file access, the intent is great but when you
download a file that was created on anoter XP PC and can't delete it
off of your PC later you have to admit that someone at MS screwed up
big time. Blaming it on the way the XP machine was set up two years
ago is not very smart either. Frankly file access problems is the
number one problem I'm seeing as people install Vista.

 

[mikeyhsd]

there are some folder you CANNOT access, PERIOD.

there are kept there by name for compatibility with older software.

some system level folders and hard to get to without saying I WANT TO, several times.

if you cannot stand to learn to live with in the constrains of vista, then maybe you should downgrade to sp pro.

from what I understand vista is only gonna get worse, not better.



(e-mail address removed)



No I have disabled UAC. It is not that. I know precisely what I want to do. I don't want people to ask me why. But I have answered this in this thread.

The question still is, "How can I get access to everything?" If I want to be locked out I could buy a Mac, or have a System Administrator.

Regards
Doug
the Application Data contents have been moved to a similar folder under USERS - USER NAME. there maybe an option in Outlook to show the complete NEW path.

what kind of file are you trying to change to
.txt
there maybe a reasonable reason why the system does not want to allow you.
it is not unusual to get a permission window to click on to say yes this is what I really want to do.

these things are usually caused the USC, user access control.
built in security to prevent programs (virus/malware) from making unauthorized system changes.




(e-mail address removed)

What files and folders do you believe you do not have access to? And why
do you need access to them ?

--

OK. First when I tried to bring Outlook 2003 into Vista I was prevented
from bringing the following files in, because they are kept under
Application Data. These files are outlook.xml. outlook.NK2 ,etc. This was
access denied.

Then I installed my legal copy of Everest Ultimate. The licence tells me to
add a .txt to the Everest in Program Files. Access denied.

Why do I need a reason? It is simply a home PC, and I know what I want to
do. Pls help

Regards
Doug

 

[The Old Bloke]

Thanks Mike. There are various ways on the internet that give directions on "taking ownership". I am a bit cautious of being too aggressive with these methods till I learn a bit more.

Regards
Doug
there are some folder you CANNOT access, PERIOD.

there are kept there by name for compatibility with older software.

some system level folders and hard to get to without saying I WANT TO, several times.

if you cannot stand to learn to live with in the constrains of vista, then maybe you should downgrade to sp pro.

from what I understand vista is only gonna get worse, not better.



(e-mail address removed)



No I have disabled UAC. It is not that. I know precisely what I want to do. I don't want people to ask me why. But I have answered this in this thread.

The question still is, "How can I get access to everything?" If I want to be locked out I could buy a Mac, or have a System Administrator.

Regards
Doug
the Application Data contents have been moved to a similar folder under USERS - USER NAME. there maybe an option in Outlook to show the complete NEW path.

what kind of file are you trying to change to
.txt
there maybe a reasonable reason why the system does not want to allow you.
it is not unusual to get a permission window to click on to say yes this is what I really want to do.

these things are usually caused the USC, user access control.
built in security to prevent programs (virus/malware) from making unauthorized system changes.




(e-mail address removed)

What files and folders do you believe you do not have access to? And why
do you need access to them ?

--

OK. First when I tried to bring Outlook 2003 into Vista I was prevented
from bringing the following files in, because they are kept under
Application Data. These files are outlook.xml. outlook.NK2 ,etc. This was
access denied.

Then I installed my legal copy of Everest Ultimate. The licence tells me to
add a .txt to the Everest in Program Files. Access denied.

Why do I need a reason? It is simply a home PC, and I know what I want to
do. Pls help

Regards
Doug

 

[mikeyhsd]

also there is a method to allow UAC to still run but turn down the number of warnings.
sorry I do not have the link to how to do it.



(e-mail address removed)



Thanks Mike. There are various ways on the internet that give directions on "taking ownership". I am a bit cautious of being too aggressive with these methods till I learn a bit more.

Regards
Doug
there are some folder you CANNOT access, PERIOD.

there are kept there by name for compatibility with older software.

some system level folders and hard to get to without saying I WANT TO, several times.

if you cannot stand to learn to live with in the constrains of vista, then maybe you should downgrade to sp pro.

from what I understand vista is only gonna get worse, not better.



(e-mail address removed)



No I have disabled UAC. It is not that. I know precisely what I want to do. I don't want people to ask me why. But I have answered this in this thread.

The question still is, "How can I get access to everything?" If I want to be locked out I could buy a Mac, or have a System Administrator.

Regards
Doug
the Application Data contents have been moved to a similar folder under USERS - USER NAME. there maybe an option in Outlook to show the complete NEW path.

what kind of file are you trying to change to
.txt
there maybe a reasonable reason why the system does not want to allow you.
it is not unusual to get a permission window to click on to say yes this is what I really want to do.

these things are usually caused the USC, user access control.
built in security to prevent programs (virus/malware) from making unauthorized system changes.




(e-mail address removed)

What files and folders do you believe you do not have access to? And why
do you need access to them ?

--

OK. First when I tried to bring Outlook 2003 into Vista I was prevented
from bringing the following files in, because they are kept under
Application Data. These files are outlook.xml. outlook.NK2 ,etc. This was
access denied.

Then I installed my legal copy of Everest Ultimate. The licence tells me to
add a .txt to the Everest in Program Files. Access denied.

Why do I need a reason? It is simply a home PC, and I know what I want to
do. Pls help

Regards
Doug