permissions driving me crazy!!!

DeaconFrost said:

I have to ask, but what are you guys doing that you need to take ownership of files on a new install? I have only been able to duplicate this once (on purpose), by moving my "My" folders from an old install to a new, which used a different username and password.

There's a simple simple way around this. Use the same username and password combo each time you reinstall your OS. Don't store your user data in the "My" folders either. Who does this anymore? Store them on a data drive. Simpler back ups, more customized options for naming, and much easier restoration after an OS install...not to mention eliminating the ownership issues.

bigmck said:

What I did was not create a password for the Administrator, which is me. When I try to delete a file the prompt comes up that asks for Administrator Permission, All I have to do is click Yes and the process continues. Since I don't have a password to type in, it makes things easier.

That also goes against any security guide out there in terms of an OS. You never ever have the admin account unprotected by a password. That's an open door for malware to take control of the system and lock you out. You'd be much better off suppressing the UAC warnings.

Would the admin password protect your system from malware all the time, or only when the system is locked? If only when locked, then what's to stop malware from attacking your system while it is up and active?

In my situation, anti malware software is locking up while searching the windows.old folder so I copied the folder to another drive, and now I want to delete it from my C: drive.

edicus said:

Would the admin password protect your system from malware all the time, or only when the system is locked? If only when locked, then what's to stop malware from attacking your system while it is up and active?

There have been many variations of malware that when resident on your system, will search your admin accounts and find ones with weak or missing passwords. They will put a password on those accounts, essentially locking you out of the admin account on your own system. Once they gain access to the admin account, they can pretty much do whatever they want on your system. I even rename my admin accounts, along with putting a strong password on them.

edicus said:

I want to delete a file but I get the message "I need permission to do this". I am the only user of this machine and am administrator. How can I PERMANENTLY turn off this permission feature??? It's making me go coocoo for cocoa puffs.

Goto User Accounts in the control panel then click user accounts/Change user account control settings, if you want to disable it move the slider down to never notify.