Windows 7: Messed up with Permissions on my external drive. Help!!

Hello,

I was trying out the admin permissions for my external drive and I messed up. It took all of my privileges away and I wasn't able to access it at all. I was able to get some of it back, but I am still having problems getting full control of the drive. I am seeing a pad lock on the first tier of folders. How do I remove that padlock showing?

Thank you

First, don't panic. You can fix this.



Second, do the following:

• Right-click on the drive and select "Properties"
• Click "Advanced"
• Click "Change Permissions"
• Ensure that Administrators is listed (at the very least...if not also your username)
• Click the "Replace all child object..." check box
• Click "OK"

If that doesn't work, take ownership first:

• Right-click on the drive and select "Properties"
• Click "Advanced"
• Click the "Owner" tab
• Click "Edit"
• Select your username
• Click the "Replace owner on..." check box
• Click "OK"
• Then go back and perform the first set of steps listed above

This is from memory...but it should work. If not, let us know...and we'll work it out.

cheers,
Steve

Hi Steve,

I want to thank you for you help. Sorry for the late reply. I didn't have the patience or the time to try it. So, I just copied and pasted all my files off the drive and stored it else where. I then deleted the partition and then repartitioned it along with reinstalling my operating system. So, everything is fine now. I will keep your advice for next time.

Do you know, how I can get some easy to understand tutorials on how to set permissions? I would still like to know how to do it, so I can protect my external drive etc..

Thank you again.

Jeff