Permissions

Ok, I have put myself in a real mess here.

I changed all the default permissions on the "Users" folder, I made my account Owner. I did all this because HomeGroup wasn't working, so I thought I would try sharing via permissions.

Is there a way to get the default permissions back for the Users folder and all Child Objects. I lost my icon cache, I am unable to change the windows theme, I can't even change the background.

Internet Explorer and a few other programs are missing from the start menu.

I can access all my files, but I have really screwed up something and any help would be greatly appreciated.

midnightwolf76 said:

Ok, I have put myself in a real mess here.

I changed all the default permissions on the "Users" folder, I made my account Owner. I did all this because HomeGroup wasn't working, so I thought I would try sharing via permissions.

Is there a way to get the default permissions back for the Users folder and all Child Objects. I lost my icon cache, I am unable to change the windows theme, I can't even change the background.

Internet Explorer and a few other programs are missing from the start menu.

I can access all my files, but I have really screwed up something and any help would be greatly appreciated.

Im gonna ask a real stupid question. Do you have a backup we can restore from before the change in permissions?

do you have the dvd that came with the computer so we can do a repair install?

ken

I was able to create a second admin account and everything on that second account is working normally. I am using that account to verify the default permissions and changing the permissions as needed on my main account. It's just a lengthy process. Seems like a good learning experience though, I knew I should have paid more attention in Windows Security class. LOL

midnightwolf76 said:

I was able to create a second admin account and everything on that second account is working normally. I am using that account to verify the default permissions and changing the permissions as needed on my main account. It's just a lengthy process. Seems like a good learning experience though, I knew I should have paid more attention in Windows Security class. LOL

you seem to have it well in hand. Bet you never do that again. btw you might have been able to import the settings from the other account but you would have imported the problems as well

ken

Well if homegroups worked as they are intended I wouldn't be in this mess right now. I might just scrub this install and reformat. Will be getting Windows 7 Ultimate Signature Edition soon enough though, so not a big deal, second admin account is working fine, my original account is not able to apply desktop backgrounds or themes, "Personalize" stalls (Not Responding). I'll figure it out I guess.

MN

If that were me I would can the current OS and clean install. If there is something you need on the current back it up. you might just be able to enter the key when you get your legit copy

ken

I fixed it, back tracking with a fresh install of Windows 7 RTM Professional on my laptop, I found the fix, but just in case someone has the same problem, I will post what the default permissions are for the folders.

The underlying problem with the Windows Themes is that they are stored in C:\Users\"UserAccount"\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\

After changing the permissions back to default I was able to get all the themes working again. SOLVED.

Code:

C:\Users
SYSTEM (Full Control)
Adminstrators (Full Control)
"UserAccount" (Full Control)

C:\Users\"UserAccount"
SYSTEM (Full Control)
Administrators (Full Control)
"UserAccount" (Full Control)

C:\Users\"UserAccount"\AppData [and Child Objects (Local, LocalLow, Roaming)]
SYSTEM (Full Control)
Administrators (Full Control)
"UserAccount" (Full Control)
HomeUsers (Special Permissions) 
--- Traverse folder / execute file
--- List folder / read data
--- Read attributes
--- Read extended attributes
--- Read permissions
Include inheritable permissions from this object's parent

MNW

really nice, and thanks for posting the fix. +rep for you

ken

The c:\users folder also includes Everyone Read & Execute on my install of course user accounts get new permissions not inherited from that

The easiest way would have been to just create a new account, and delete the old one.

A fresh user folder is created when a new account is made.

greetz