Full access to all folders/directories

I've been struggling with a new install of Windows 7 HP 64 OEM on my new personal desktop system, which will never ever be used by anyone but myself ...

I need full access to all folders/directories, etc on the system. I am presently being denied access to certain folders (i.e. documents and settings).

I've been retired for some years now, but, in the past, I've served as admin on both MS and certain non-MS systems.

I need full access ASAP. Could someone please help with this?? I'm hoping that it is not necessary to jump thru all the hoops in the circus ...

Thanks,
P

Have you done this yet? http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/507-built-administrator-account-enable-disable.html

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.

Click to expand...

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
http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/87940-mse.html
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? :sarc:

P

a bit more info

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

post by andjayik

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
http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/87940-mse.html
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? :sarc:

P

Click to expand...

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/67717-take-ownership-file.html . But before you do, please add a system restore point at least. Just remember, you were warned.

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

post by andjayik

Click to expand...

"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

Click to expand...

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: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1911-take-ownership-shortcut.html
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

Lordbob75 recently ranted:
>Ok....
>Puddin. THIS IS NOT WINDOWS 2K.
>Period. End of discussion.

>That location DOES NOT EXIST in Windows 7.

>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". ...

What can one infer from a rather vicious defense presented against a threat that was never made?

I mentioned admin only to suggest that I am a responsible and competent user.
Microsoft and the "7 Gurus" seem to have a propensity for assuming the opposite.

"I bow to your Prescience and Far Superior Intelligence."

Why, I'll bet that y'all could divine "The Secret Of The Universe" from a mere gooseberry!!

P

Since you can't seem to get the answers you want, have a look at the bottom of this page for similar threads, you may find it there.

Some of us have been using this OS going on 2 years.

Puddin Man said:

Lordbob75 recently ranted: [...]
What can one infer from a rather vicious defense presented against a threat that was never made?

I mentioned admin only to suggest that I am a responsible and competent user.
Microsoft and the "7 Gurus" seem to have a propensity for assuming the opposite.

"I bow to your Prescience and Far Superior Intelligence."

Why, I'll bet that y'all could divine "The Secret Of The Universe" from a mere gooseberry!!

P

Click to expand...

In case you didn't notice at the bottom of my post, I asked what you were attempting to do. We might be able to help you more if you provide more information.
Frankly, the folder you mentioned DOES NOT EXIST.

Secondly, if one member says something you don't agree with you cannot just assume that all of us are of the same mentality.

I am out with this thread, good luck with Windows 7.
Though you might be best going back to 2k.

~Lordbob

Puddin Man, I came to Win 7 from XP; I skipped Vista. I came to this forum with the very same questions you have. I found the answers reading tutorials and reading other threads on the subject.

Along the way I learned several things about Windows 7 and its security measures.

1. There is no wide open administrator account such as there was in XP and 2000. Even the hidden administrator account is limited.

2. Win 7 adds a lot more protection to system files and folders by making them inaccessible to users, even to the admin account.

3. As an administrator, you can do anything in Win 7 that you can do as an administrator in XP or 2000 - if you know how. That means you have to buy a good book or two on Win 7 and study it.

4. One does not want to mess with permissions of or take ownership of system files and folders. There are a few exceptions to this. Changing permissions for these files and folders can come back to bite you - don't ask how I know.

This was all done deliberately by the programmers to eliminate or reduce the vulnerabilities that XP is infamous for. And it works and works well.

Learn about juction points - what they are and why they are there.

Once you begin to understand the Win 7 system, I believe you will really like it. It is an entirely new OS. There are a few things the still frustrate me from time to time. But I do understand the reasons for most of them and I believe the reasoning is sound.

>
>Puddin Man, I came to Win 7 from XP; I skipped Vista. I came to this forum with the very same questions you have. I found the answers reading tutorials and reading other threads on the subject.
>
>Along the way I learned several things about Windows 7 and its security measures.
>
>1. There is no wide open administrator account such as there was in XP and 2000. Even the hidden administrator account is limited.

So I've discovered.

>2. Win 7 adds a lot more protection to system files and folders by making them inaccessible to users, even to the admin account.

So I've discovered.

>3. As an administrator, you can do anything in Win 7 that you can do as an administrator in XP or 2000 - if you know how. That means you have to buy a good book or two on Win 7 and study it.

1.) You have to accept "The Microsofty Way".
2.) You have to waste time. And waste time. And waste time. And ...

>4. One does not want to mess with permissions of or take ownership of system files and folders. There are a few exceptions to this. Changing permissions for these files and folders can come back to bite you - don't ask how I know.

Don't need to ask. Had such experience many years ago.

>This was all done deliberately by the programmers to eliminate or reduce the vulnerabilities that XP is infamous for. And it works and works well.

For "The Microsofty Culture", perhaps.

I believe in certain basic principles of responsible computing management, etc that are applicable to all hardware/software systems.

Microsoft would have me violate them. They have determined that idiot-proofing systems is the way to go. I don't think it can be effectively done. It is a hideous waste of time for some.

A good example of "violation" can be found in Corrines response in http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/87940-mse.html . I should connect my new system to the internet without MSE, potentially infecting it, so Microsoft can do an unnecessary validation. Insane!!

If you are happy with the insanity that MS has engineered into their systems,
more power to you. I see another vision.

>Learn about juction points - what they are and why they are there.

They are an unnecessary level of abstraction. To the extent that I run Win7, I will deal with them.

>Once you begin to understand the Win 7 system, I believe you will really like it. It is an entirely new OS. There are a few things the still frustrate me from time to time. But I do understand the reasons for most of them and I believe the reasoning is sound.

Methinks that much of Win7 constitutes mutant software engineering. MS knows they can get away with it (with "The Microsofty Culture"), so they slam it down your throat.

Win7 has some interesting features aside from the idiot-proofing. I will explore it.

Cheers,
P

Puddin Man, Windows Seven has an overarching mission to be more secure to run than its Win32 predecessors, given how widespread Win32 is. If you are a hich-tech user, there are of course other OSs which will test your limits. Windows 7 is not one of them. By the way, this is the first time I've heard of a 'system admin' cursing a client OS. Server aand VM should be your thing. Client is designed to be usable for a common, low tech user.

The instructions Corrine posted were probably copied from an article describing this procedure foer Windows XP. She probably forgot to see that they should be adapted.

Finally, MSE is free to download and install, but if Microsoft expects that their OS will be run properly activated, and will provide support and added benefits only to legally activated systems, I doubt that that second MSE requires to check that condition should trouble a legitimate user.

Puddin Man said:

>
>3. As an administrator, you can do anything in Win 7 that you can do as an administrator in XP or 2000 - if you know how. That means you have to buy a good book or two on Win 7 and study it.

1.) You have to accept "The Microsofty Way".
2.) You have to waste time. And waste time. And waste time. And ...

Click to expand...

Well, since it is a Microsoft OS, it is only logical that it runs the "Microsofty" way and if you choose to use it, you use it the "Microsfty" way just as you would use a Mac the "Appley" way.

>This was all done deliberately by the programmers to eliminate or reduce the vulnerabilities that XP is infamous for. And it works and works well.

For "The Microsofty Culture", perhaps.

Click to expand...

Again, it is a Microsoft OS.

I believe in certain basic principles of responsible computing management, etc that are applicable to all hardware/software systems.

Microsoft would have me violate them. They have determined that idiot-proofing systems is the way to go. I don't think it can be effectively done. It is a hideous waste of time for some.

Click to expand...

With all due respect, that is kind of an arrogant stance. Why should MS design an OS to your standards? I do agree that it is difficult to idiot proof a system; but I surely understand the logic and reasoning behind trying to do so. Considering the very wide varienty of users and hardware the world over, MS has done a very decent job with Win 7.

Like yourself, I could probably operate a system without any restrictions and any built in protection - even without an anti virus program and do so safely. I know some folks who do just that. But it would certainly increase my risk. And the little time I would save operating in that manor would be more than used up if I had to reconstruct my system after a nasyt infection.

If you are happy with the insanity that MS has engineered into their systems,
more power to you. I see another vision.

Click to expand...

I am quite happy with Win 7. It works well. If you have a better idea, design and build it.

>Learn about junction points - what they are and why they are there.

They are an unnecessary level of abstraction. To the extent that I run Win7, I will deal with them.

Click to expand...

Actually they are quite necessary for backward compatibility with Legacy software. And you do not have to deal with them at all. You don't even have to know they are there. All you have to know is what Win 7 uses in place of Documents and Settings. The junction points are irrelevant to you as a user or an administrator.

>Once you begin to understand the Win 7 system, I believe you will really like it. It is an entirely new OS. There are a few things the still frustrate me from time to time. But I do understand the reasons for most of them and I believe the reasoning is sound.

Methinks that much of Win7 constitutes mutant software engineering. MS knows they can get away with it (with "The Microsofty Culture"), so they slam it down your throat.

Click to expand...

Mutant? Try "evolutionary".

Win7 has some interesting features aside from the idiot-proofing. I will explore it.

Click to expand...

Enjoy! It will be fun.