Full access to all folders/directories

Have you done this yet? Built-in Administrator Account - Enable or Disable

The places you are being Denied Access, do not exist. For example "Documents and Settings" is not a real location. Please read the links in my signature, then proceed to leave those locations that deny you access ALONE! YOU DO NOT NEED ACCESS! Any place that is denying you access is but a compatibility layer for stupid hard coded applications and not a real folder.

We've been saying this for a couple of posts now, but please, if you're an admin and accessing a folder gives you an "Access Denied" error instead of a permission change prompt, then there's no need for you to access it. It will only mess up your system.

Thank you!

You can refer to threads here and here for our little explanation of things that can go wrong. You can also click on one of logicearth's signature there which will explain why you're denied access to these folders. To quote:

[...]Of course, a new opportunity can create a new problem: An application that isn’t familiar with junctions may get stuck in an infinite loop when it attempts to perform a recursive directory-tree walk. To prevent this, the compatibility junctions permit directory traversal but explicitly deny List contents permission: If you try to navigate to these folders from Explorer or the command prompt, you’ll get an Access denied error.

Junction points are basically shortcuts. The link below shows where the "old folders" were replaced with.
Application Compatibility: Junction Points and Backup Applications

Of course, even with all our warnings, if, for whatever reason or purpose you may have in accessing these, you can check Take Ownership of file - Vista Forums for instructions on how to grant yourself explicit permissions for these.

Excuse me. I am coming from a W2k environment, where C:\Documents and Settings\ is a real directory.

Look for Corrine's response in
MSE
where the MS instructions say:

1. Log on to the computer using an Administrator user account.
2. Click "Start", and click "My Computer".
3. On the "Tools" menu, click "Folder Options".
4. Click the "View" tab.
5. Under "Hidden files and folders", check on "Show hidden files and folders".
6. Click to clear the "Hide extensions for known file types" check box, and then click "OK".
7. We will find the file named "data.dat" under the following folder:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Windows Genuine Advantage\data
...

Microsoft ItsOwnSelf is telling me to access C:\Documents and Settings\... ?????

What am I to think of such insanely conflicting directions? :)

P

Puddin Man said:

Excuse me. I am coming from a W2k environment, where C:\Documents and Settings\ is a real directory.

Look for Corrine's response in
MSE
where the MS instructions say:

1. Log on to the computer using an Administrator user account.
2. Click "Start", and click "My Computer".
3. On the "Tools" menu, click "Folder Options".
4. Click the "View" tab.
5. Under "Hidden files and folders", check on "Show hidden files and folders".
6. Click to clear the "Hide extensions for known file types" check box, and then click "OK".
7. We will find the file named "data.dat" under the following folder:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Windows Genuine Advantage\data
...

Microsoft ItsOwnSelf is telling me to access C:\Documents and Settings\... ?????

What am I to think of such insanely conflicting directions? :)

P

Excuse me also, but this is Win7 kernel 6.x. Changes were made, this was one of them.

And no offense to Corrine, but having an MVP tag doesn't necessarily mean you work for MS. That tag is awarded like a medal, irregardless of where you are employed.

Back to your problem, you are saying you want to access Documents and Settings because of that solution posted above. Let me tell you this- that solution is applicable for XP system wherein they make use of that folder scheme. Application Data is now stored in the folder "AppData" found in your respective folder (i.e. C:\Users\Username\AppData).

Now, come to think of it, that solution doesn't apply to you at all. As far as I know, ever since Windows Vista, MS has been using an entirely different product activation engine that doesn't store files/folder inside AppData.

If you really are eager to reset/repair your activation engine, you should visit Genuine Microsoft Software

And again, you can take ownership of the files/folders to grant yourself explicit permissions to access those folders by following http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67...ship-file.html . But before you do, please add a system restore point at least. Just remember, you were warned. :P

well arkhis post was total gobbledegook go six posts down for take ownership of files in this forum

post by andjayik

"Open your mind, my friends. We all ignore what we don't fully understand"
-Inspired by Dan Brown

torchwood said:

well arkhis post was total gobbledegook go six posts down for take ownership of files in this forum

post by andjayik

I thought it was quite clear - and accurate.

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data is now C:\ProgramData

Ok....
Puddin. THIS IS NOT WINDOWS 2K.
Period. End of discussion.

That location DOES NOT EXIST in W7.

You may have been a system admin for a career, for 10 years, 5 years, 50 years, it doesn't matter. This is a different OS, with different rules.

DO NOT come here asking for help, then tell us we are wrong because you are a "System Admin".

Logic's post is 100% accurate. There is literally nothing you could ever do that you need COMPLETE access and ownership of EVERY file and folder in Windows. All you will do is break it.

So, with that out of that way, what are you trying to do? Perhaps we can help you take ownership of the files you need, using this method: Take Ownership Shortcut
If you are trying to install a program or write some files, you should be able to take access of it for that specific location.

~Lordbob