Solved Permissions: read files from another PC?

[gb315]

My win10 PC won't boot (after a power interruption). I want to use its files while I work to fix that problem. So, I connected the win10 c: drive in a win7 PC, where I can 'see' said files. However, I can't do anything with them - any action (read, copy, ..) gets an "access is denied" error.

I am pretty inept at permissions. Mostly, I just flounder around until I get something to work, and then move on. I would appreciate any advice on (a) whether it's even possible to access these files, and (b) how one might do that. At this point, I would prefer not to do anything that would make the files un-readable on the original win10 box, assuming that can be saved.

Thank you

 

[MisterEd]

It is doable but is best if you could copy the files to another drive. That way you could leave the original drive unchanged and change the necessary permissions on the other drive. Can you at least copy folders with the files you want to another drive? If there aren't that many then you could use a flash drive.

 

[gb315]

... Can you at least copy folders with the files you want to another drive? If there aren't that many then you could use a flash drive.

No: that's what I set out to do; it gets the same error.

 

[samuria]

The files will be owned by the SID of the user on the other pc you have to take care as if you change permissions wrong and get the other pc working you will be locked out of the files again you will need to add the 7 user to permissions and DONT take ownership

 

[SIW2]

Can you at least copy folders with the files you want to another drive? If there aren't that many then you could use a flash drive.
No: that's what I set out to do; it gets the same error.

you can try the file explorer in dism++



it is easier if you have CopyTo and MoveTo on your context menu.

Copy the code below. Paste it into a text file and Save it as copytomoveto.reg.

then dble click on the reg file you just made.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\{C2FBB631-2971-11D1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\{C2FBB630-2971-11D1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}]

After that you can use the browse window from dism++ file explorer and rt click any files /folders then select Copy To from your context menu.

 

[Bree]

... At this point, I would prefer not to do anything that would make the files un-readable on the original win10 box, assuming that can be saved.

Do you have Macrium Reflect Free installed on another PC?

If so, then you can make a system image of the disk. You can then mount that system image as a virtual drive and use Explorer to retrieve files from the image, leaving the original drive unaltered.

There is an 'enable access to restricted folders' option that will bypass all permissions when mounting a Reflect image.

 

[SIW2]

No need to make images. just use the file explorer in dism++

 

[gb315]

No need to make images. just use the file explorer in dism++

Thanks. I'm going to try this. It will probably take me a couple of days, and I'll post back when done.

 

[Bree]

Making an image does mean you can work on a copy, never risking changing anything on the original.

 

[gb315]

I got what I wanted - to retrieve the non-system files from the afflicted drive. I can't say everything makes sense, but I'm willing to just move on. For the record:

1. As reported, I initially couldn't open folders or 'copy'/'xcopy' files from that drive. Later, I was able to perform these same operations. IDK what was different. All I can think is that, in the successful effort, I'd started the command-line window with 'run as administrator'. However, I AM the admin, so I'd think that unnecessary.
2. Per Bree's suggestion, I used Macrium Reflect to make an image of the drive and, using Explorer, an accessible pseudo-drive. This is very nice. Thanks.
3. I downloaded DISM++. The (presumed) help file (-½+˜ Dism++x86 +¦+++---.txt) came up blank, so I put it aside.

Thanks to all who replied.

 

[SIW2]

no need for a help file, it is obvious from the gui as shown in my screenshot.

 

[Bree]

I got what I wanted - to retrieve the non-system files from the afflicted drive.....
....Thanks to all who replied.