Authenticated users have been denied access to C: drive

[DuesX]

Hello sevenforums readers. I have a real problem on my hands, and have already done as much hunting and digging, even on this site to remedy the problem. I was attempting to block home network computers from accessing my user folder since it was showing up on the network no matter what I tried to stop it, and accidentally ended up denying access to my C: drive for ALL authenticated users. Even though I cancelled the process almost immediately, the effect still took place? Very annoying. I am running on windows 7 32 bit. The security tab has been removed from the C: drive properties. It appears in SAFE MODE, but it still denies me access from changing the permissions anyways. I tried creating a 'authenticated' user and everything I can possibly do that the internet has suggested I try. I have tried going through the CMD as an administrator in SAFE MODE using the takedown /f (foldername) /r/d y, and the steps that follow that. doesn't work. I have tried downloading the ownerchanger.reg to add permission change functionality to the context menu, and I can't even download it, as I can only assume that my hdd in all it's functionality has now been limited to a read only system, I can't even COPY files that are remotely associated with the C: drive, which is everything I value on this machine.

Finally, I attempted to use my laptop manufacturers recovery system on the D: drive, only to find that 'windows installer' cannot be accessed either. I have not tried formatting the HDD as I don't want to just lose all my data, and frankly I'm skeptical at this point if the computer is even capable of commanding the C: drive at all, even to format it. This is easily the craziest situation I've seen with any of my computers, and the first time I've posted a thread about it without being able to handle it myself, but I'm really in a jam here. Any advice?

 

[DuesX]

Also, the first thing I tried was reverting the computers system settings to a previous date, doesn't work. Even the device manager is inaccessible.

 

[rsedgarroman]

boot to safe mode and try restoring your computer to an earlier point before you did the change, if that doesn't work try to boot to repair my computer.

 

[DuesX]

okay I'll try that, but all restore points in normal mode are gone/inaccessible/missing, whatever. So it seems unlikely, but I'll give it a try

 

[DuesX]

so, the safe mode recovery was attempted. certain dates showed up, but all attempts we're met with "unexpected error access denied (0x80070005)" or "unexpected error parameter incorrect (0x80070057)". So that's no good.. Thank you though for the response it is much appreciated.

 

[rsedgarroman]

try to boot to safe mode and run the command prompt and run chkdsk command to see if that can fix the hard drive

 

[DuesX]

Okay folks, so I fixed the problem. So if you ever idiotically (like me) start denying access to all authenticated users and decide to cancel it (which wont work properly obviously) before it completes, find you can no longer access your hdd, and stuff isn't working properly, here's what I did.

Open the command prompt in the start menu as an admin. then type in sfc /scannow

This will perform a scan for corrupted files and replace them when found. It found several on mine.

next I went into safe mode, and was able to access the security tab under the hdd with denied access (C: in this case). From there I was able to edit the permissions to full control, when I hit apply, it began the process, and occasionally said things like "program files cannot be accessed because it is being used by another program" or "C:windows cannot be accessed, access is denied" but as long as you keep clicking OKAY it will continue passed that point, and restore full access even to the folders it's claiming it cannot. I now am fully up and running again.

 

[rsedgarroman]

as a suggestion run restore point to a date before you did that, but good to hear you resolved the problem

 

[logicearth]

He didn't resolve his problem, he made things worst. You had no reason to mess with the permissions they were already secured. The fact the user directory appeared on the network is hardly a concern as no one could access your private user directory unless you shared it. The OP fubared the security of their system over nothin.

 

[Katherinez212]

If you have not necessary data in you C drive than format it....other wise scan your C drive this one is help yours issue....

 

[aldwg]

Hi DuesX

I'm hoping you can help me. I have the same problem only my command prompt says I need to be an administrator even though the account is an administrator, and it will not let me run as administrator. I did however switch to the once hidden administrator account and was able to run the scan, but since it wasn't scanning the C drive I use, it didn't find anything and when I tried to restart in Safe Mode nothing was changed. Than you for any advice you or anyone else may have.