System Volume Information folder FAT32 vs. NTFS

[John]

Running Windows XP Pro SP3.

The System Volume Information directory is where the data for restore
points is saved. I know the contents shouldn't be edited in any way, but
sometimes it is useful to view.

I can only view this directory on partitions which are still FAT32. On
partitions which are NTFS, when I try to view this directory, I get the
error message "System Volume Information is not accessible. Access is
denied". This is in spite of the fact that in "Folder options->view" I
have set "Show hidden files and folders" and UN-set "Hide protected
operating system files".

What do I need to change to be able to view the contents of the System
Volume Information directory on an NTFS partition? Thanks!

John

 

[Jim]

Running Windows XP Pro SP3.

The System Volume Information directory is where the data for restore
points is saved. I know the contents shouldn't be edited in any way, but
sometimes it is useful to view.

I can only view this directory on partitions which are still FAT32. On
partitions which are NTFS, when I try to view this directory, I get the
error message "System Volume Information is not accessible. Access is
denied". This is in spite of the fact that in "Folder options->view" I
have set "Show hidden files and folders" and UN-set "Hide protected
operating system files".

What do I need to change to be able to view the contents of the System
Volume Information directory on an NTFS partition? Thanks!

John

The reason is that the System Volume Information folder is owned by
NTAUTHORITY\SYSTEM (i.e. XP) and the permissions give only that SID any kind
of access to the contents of that folder.

A member of the administrators group can quite easily change these
permissions.

Jim

 

[John]

The reason is that the System Volume Information folder is owned by
NTAUTHORITY\SYSTEM (i.e. XP) and the permissions give only that SID any kind
of access to the contents of that folder.

A member of the administrators group can quite easily change these
permissions.

Jim

I should have added that what I reported above IS happening in an
administrator account. How do I change the necessary settings? Thanks!

John

 

[John John - MVP]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309531/
How to gain access to the System Volume Information folder

John

 

[Jim]

I should have added that what I reported above IS happening in an
administrator account. How do I change the necessary settings? Thanks!

John

You access the security tab for the System Volume Information folder. Then,
you observe that NTAUTHORITY/SYSTEM is the only SID which has access to the
folder. You do observe that the account you are using is not listed in the
security information.

So, you add this account to the list of accounts, give it full access, and
check the box which tells XP to set all files and subfolders with these same
permissions. You can do this because you are using an account which is a
member of the administrators group.

Once this process completes, your account has full access.

When you are done, reverse the above procedure. It is best to leave this
folder like you found it.

Now, if you want information about what you see, refer to "Microsoft Windows
Registry Guide", by Jerry Hunnicutt. There is a short description on pages
67 and 68.

Jim