WinXP home edition file permissions

[Georges Heinesch]

Hi.

How can I see file permissions in a WinXP home edition environment?

TIA

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

To do this, you must be running NTFS as your file system on the drive in
question. If your hard disk/partition is not NTFS you will need to convert
it. To do this, open a Command Prompt window and enter the following
command:

CONVERT X: /FS:NTFS

Where X: is the drive letter you wish to convert. You may also want to see
http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfscvt.htm to ensure that you're getting the optimal
conversion.

After this step is completed and you've rebooted the computer, if necessary:

XP PRO: In Windows Explorer, go to Tools, Folder Options, View and uncheck
Use Simple File Sharing. Now, when you right click on a drive, folder or
file (on an NTFS partition) and select Properties, you'll see a Security
tab. Here you can assign or deny permissions based on user name or user
group membership.

XP Home: By default, you can only make files and folders under My Documents
"private". This is done by right clicking a folder or file and selecting
Properties, Sharing. To change the permissions on other folders, you need
to boot the computer to Safe Mode and log in on the built in Administrator
account. In this mode, you'll see the Security tab in Properties, and you
can assign permissions based on user name or group membership.

How Do I Get the Security Tab in Properties - XP Home (makes the Security
tab appear outside of Safe Mode)
http://www.dougknox.com, Win XP Tips section

HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions in Windows
XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308418

HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove Special Permissions for Files and
Folders
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;308419

HOW TO: Disable Simplified Sharing and Password-Protect a Shared Folder in
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;307874

 

[Georges Heinesch]

Hi.

XP Home: By default, you can only make files and folders under My Documents
"private". This is done by right clicking a folder or file and selecting
Properties, Sharing. To change the permissions on other folders, you need
to boot the computer to Safe Mode and log in on the built in Administrator
account. In this mode, you'll see the Security tab in Properties, and you
can assign permissions based on user name or group membership.

This is exactly what I was looking for.
Thanks a lot!

Is it also possible to use TweakUI to enable the Administrator and to
log in then with the Administrator as user (in "normal mode", as opposed
to "safe mode"). This should also permit to view the permissions. Right?

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Not in XP Home. It simply will not allow you to log in via the built in
Administrator account, other than in Safe Mode. However, there is a way to
make the Security tab visible outside of Safe Mode.

See www.dougknox.com, Win XP Tips, How Do I Get the Security Tab in
Properties - XP Home.

 

[Kent W. England [MVP]]

There is a nice little utility that will put the security tab into Home
Edition in normal mode. However, I would advise all users to use the
private settings for My Documents first before changing permissions away
from the simple file sharing permissions. Note that the security tab
doesn't change the way network access works. Home Edition will always
authenticate remote users as guest.

http://www.fajo.de/sware/files/xpfse/FJXPFileSecExt_0_2_Setup_EN.exe

--
Kent W. England, Microsoft MVP for Windows Security

Is it also possible to use TweakUI to enable the Administrator and to
log in then with the Administrator as user (in "normal mode", as opposed
to "safe mode"). This should also permit to view the permissions.

Right?