Folder Permissions Issue

timw128 · 21 Nov 2015

Hello-
Something has went wrong within my 'Temp' folder to where I can not access it, nor gain permission. All is fine with the System, and 'sfc /scannow' runs clean.

The issues has something to do with Avast and Opera Auto Updater. No matter what I do, I get denied trying to change permissions. Please note the 6 attached screen shots that are in sequence. I have no idea what is going on here.

Thanks for any and all help. If you need more info, please notify.

tim

Pyprohly · 21 Nov 2015

Hi there,

Let's begin by seeing the permissions settings on that "C:\Windows\Temp" directory of yours...

Open an Elevated Command Prompt, enter the command line below, then post the command's output back here for us to review so that we can determine if anything needs fixing.

Code:

icacls "C:\Windows\Temp"

Edit: note, by default, all users should be denied the ability to view the contents of the 'Windows\Temp' folder.

timw128 · 21 Nov 2015

Thanks for the response, Pyprohly. First, I should tell you that I just put an SSD in here and did a clean install of Windows 7 Pro SP1 x64. I am using an HDD for a D:\ Storage drive, and I had moved the Page File over there and Old Timers TFC Cleaner. I think that's what had caused some issues. That .exe has disappeared and I try to download it now and mt Avast won't let me do. Anyway, more on that later, as I'll get to your query now.
Here it is-

Alejandro85 · 21 Nov 2015

Nothing is wrong with that and in fact not having permissions to the windows\temp folder is the default and normal thing. That's the system-wide temporary folder, used by services and the system itself only.

Ordinary programs use the per-user temp folders, located under c:\users\<yourusername>\appdata\local\temp
There you'll find almost every temporary file causing problems. There is little reason to ever go to the system-wide one, that being the reason of the default permission.

timw128 · 21 Nov 2015

Thank you, but your response in no way addresses the problem I am experiencing at present.

Of further note, now I can't see any of My Pictures, there is a little lock on the icon, and the photo shows in the folder as 'generic'.

Pyprohly · 22 Nov 2015

timw128 said:

Thank you, but your response in no way addresses the problem I am experiencing at present.

As Alejandro has pointed out, the permissions on your 'Windows\Temp' are pretty much perfect. What is the problem you are facing with this folder exactly?

timw128 said:

Of further note, now I can't see any of My Pictures, there is a little lock on the icon, and the photo shows in the folder as 'generic'.

The location of the 'My Picture' folder resides in a very different location than that of the 'Windows\Temp' folder. How broad does your permission issue span, Timw? Is it just the 'Windows\Temp' and 'User\%username%\Picture' locations where you are facing problems with?

A gold lock on an item indicates that only one, single user account on your machine has any sort of access to that item (effectively one ACE in the items's ACL, with exceptions). Timw, are all your files under "C:\Users\%username%\Pictures" affected? If so, please run the following command so we can view the permissions of this folder in order for us to help you correct them,

Code:

icacls "C:\Users\%username%\Pictures"

If it's just a few stray items you are having problems with, on one of the items, run a command similar to the below,

Code:

icacls "C:\Users\%username%\Pictures\somefile.jpg"

timw128 · 22 Nov 2015

I got fed up with it and reinstalled Windows. It went a lot deeper, but I wanted to start at the beginning with this thread. Somehow, UAC settings and system settings inadvertently changed.
So, I have everything running good again... had a nightmare with the Windows Update download and install issues, but they, too, are resolved. Hopefully, MS will accept my license key again. It's the 2nd time I used the COA case license key.
Now, I think I'll shoot a system image after we get the license authorized. If it doesn't go through, have to buy a key and disk from Newegg. This is one reason I like to buy Full Retail editions of Windows.
Thanks for all the input- 'Tis much appreciated! :)

Regards-

tim