Problem updating Permissions on Windows 2000 computer with LOTS of files

[James Krolak]

Can anyone give me some ideas with this?

I've got a server at work where I need to update file permissions on a
folder. The problem is that there are hundreds of thousands of files
(maybe even millions) and folders contained within it. When I set
permissions for a group, even Domain Users, it takes hours and hours
and hours to run. I THINK it's actually doing it, but I've left it
running for 6-7 hours and had to cancel it. Is there any quicker way
to assign permissions to that many files? I've already tried making
the groups members of the local administrators group. This isn't an
ideal solution, but it doesn't even work 'cuz apparently the local
administrators group doesn't have access to those files.

Any help or ideas would be appreciated.

James

 

[Jerold Schulman]

Can anyone give me some ideas with this?

I've got a server at work where I need to update file permissions on a
folder. The problem is that there are hundreds of thousands of files
(maybe even millions) and folders contained within it. When I set
permissions for a group, even Domain Users, it takes hours and hours
and hours to run. I THINK it's actually doing it, but I've left it
running for 6-7 hours and had to cancel it. Is there any quicker way
to assign permissions to that many files? I've already tried making
the groups members of the local administrators group. This isn't an
ideal solution, but it doesn't even work 'cuz apparently the local
administrators group doesn't have access to those files.

Any help or ideas would be appreciated.

James

If you can live the ACLs on existing files, you can try to use XCACLS.VBS, tip 8225 in the 'Tips & Tricks' at http://www.jsiinc.com,
to temporarily turn off the inheritance, change permissions, and put back inheritance

Jerold Schulman
Windows: General MVP
JSI, Inc.
http://www.jsiinc.com

 

[James Krolak]

Thanks for the info. I'll have to try that utility. It DOES look
promising.

Since the original post, I've looked at the folder further and we
estimate it's got between 30 and 40 MILLION files and subfolders. I
started a "Take Ownership" process on it so that local administrators
are at least owners. I figured that would take less time than
changing permissions. It's almost done and has run for 43 hours!!!
Microsoft operating systems definitely were not made for this many
darn files.