Newbie - Access denied Problems

[PT]

Brand new user and computer - Vista 64 bit Ultimate.

Occasionally, I try to open a folder and am told that access is denied. As
an example, I tried to edit the layout of the list of programs at Start |
Programs, by trying to open that folder, but was told I didn't have access.

When I first fired up the computer, I created one user - me, PT. I also
keep getting asked for permission every time I try to run certain exe files.

Is there a simple way around this? I mean, if I can't trust myself, who
else can? From whom do I get permission?

 

[Tyro]

Vista protects itself from you for your own good.

Tyro

 

[+Bob+]

[lame top post fixed]

Vista protects itself from you for your own good.

Tyro

Not really. It protects itself to try to make MS look better in the
market.

Here's the deal: Windows has always had a really crappy architecture
from a security standpoint. There was no control over what got
installed where, no system or catalog indicating which installed
programs or modules were really legit, and no control over who
accessed what at the system level.

Instead of redesigning this horrid architecture, MS decided to try to
band aid it. The reason for this decision is that a proper repair
(correcting the architecture) would render most every Windows
application, includes MS's, obsolete.

So, they took the easy way out. First, they put in a program call User
Access Control (UAC). UAC watches when any program attempts to start
or access most any resource and squawks with a "do you really want to
allow this" prompt. Unfortunately there's little filtering to actually
determine what is dangerous and UAC will annoy you to death until you
shut it off.

The other thing they did was to restrict access to just about every
directory on the hard drive except for the c:\users\you directory.
There are many directories on the hard drive you might legitimately
need access to, but by default you get no access. The result are those
"you need permission to do this" messages.

The MS changes do result in a more secure machine - but it's kind of
like a house with doors between rooms that lock automatically every
time you go through one. You need a key each time. In addition, you
are denied access to most of the rooms until you fill out a request
for access.

You can shut off UAC. Go into User Accounts from Control Panel. You
can also take ownership of the entire hard drive, or just the
directories you need access to. Alternatively you can grant access to
everyone on the machine, or just yourself, without taking ownership. A
full discussion is too long to enter but Google "take ownership" and
"Vista" and you should find some tutorials that will guide you
through.

Have fun,

 

[oscar]

As another poster has suggested, it is beneficial to learn about UAC. UAC
protects you from you, crappy software and the internet. In my experiences in
troubleshooting computers, the vast majority of Vista problems are
self-inflicted by the owner, crappy software and attacks from the internet.

I have my Vista machines set-up this way: established an administrator
account and a user account. I operate from the user account 96% of the time
with UAC on. 18 months have passed and I have never had to do a reinstall
Vista, repair it, tweak the registry or perform a System Restore on my two
Vista machines.

Then again, you do have the right to turn off UAC.

 

[+Bob+]

As another poster has suggested, it is beneficial to learn about UAC. UAC
protects you from you, crappy software and the internet. In my experiences in
troubleshooting computers, the vast majority of Vista problems are
self-inflicted by the owner, crappy software and attacks from the internet.

That last sentence covers just about every problem with every OS on
the planet.

I have my Vista machines set-up this way: established an administrator
account and a user account. I operate from the user account 96% of the time
with UAC on. 18 months have passed and I have never had to do a reinstall
Vista, repair it, tweak the registry or perform a System Restore on my two
Vista machines.

Lucky you. I know several people who've had to do a re-install to
solve problems no one could solve. System restores are common. A peek
around the Internet will find plenty more examples of both. In
additions, Vista tweaks are often needed just to make the OS operate
properly. Take a look around here for more info on that.

Then again, you do have the right to turn off UAC.

He sure does.