Toning Down Windows Security

[wazawak]

Windows 7's security is super zealous and it's starting to interfere with my work. It often doesn't allow me to save a file directly to my program files folder, instead letting me save to My Documents. How can I tell 7 to chill out and disable this?

 

[parabellum]

Are you running as admin? If you are, then you should click OK and the file is saved (although the Documents folder is there for a reason). Otherwise you can type UAC in the start menu and lower it (which I wouldn't recommend).

 

[wazawak]

Yes, I am running as admin. I lowered the UAC setting and tried it, but I still am unable to save the file right into program files.

Could this be related to read-only settings in program files? I've noticed that the folder is on read-only and when I try to unset it off the right-click menu, it doesn't seem to work.

 

[whs]

I never had problems to move or copy folders to the program files. Try to save them first in another location and then copy or move them. if that does not work, change the permissions (in Properties > Security tab).

 

[Ztruker]

Are you talking about saving to C:\Program Files? If so, that's a OS folder and I don't think Win 7 likes you trying to save data there.

 

[wazawak]

Are you talking about saving to C:\Program Files? If so, that's a OS folder and I don't think Win 7 likes you trying to save data there.

Yes, that's exactly what I'm talking about. Maybe it's an OS folder, but I'll be damned if I let Win 7 tell me what I can and can't do with my own computer. How can I override Win 7's bitch ass security settings? lol

 

[parabellum]

Careful you don't break something, but in properties -> security then your user name and allow all privileges. I wouldn't recommend though. This is why you have Libraries and your user folder.

 

[wazawak]

Thanks for getting back to me. I went in and gave myself "full access" but I still get the same error message when I try to save directly to the program directory. Is there another setting somewhere that I need to change? I'm still unable to lift the read-only checkmark.

 

[Tepid]

but I'll be damned if I let Win 7 tell me what I can and can't do with my own computer. How can I override Win 7's bitch ass security settings? lol

uh huh,,, till someone gets infected with crap and then bitches about how easy it is for windows to get infected.

What folder is set as read only that you are trying to change?

If you screw up your system,, that is on you,, don't come cryin about it when YOU brick it.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1911-take-ownership-shortcut.html

You should not be able to save files to certain locations for a reason. Not because MS is trying to tell you what to do. In this case, there is a reason for it. And you are trying to break the mechanisms in place that help make Windows a more Secure OS. Anyway,......

 

[logicearth]

Did you not read the folder properties dialog? Right next to the read-only checkbox it tells you in plain language:
"Read-only (Only applies to files in folder)"

The read-only check box for folder properties always has a intermediate value (filled in). Just to recap, empty check box = off, a check in a check box = on, a filled in check box = intermediate.

 

[pparks1]

Why would you want to save data files into C:\Program Files?

 

[whs]

Why would you want to save data files into C:\Program Files?

That is really a good question. I went into the program files to tweak the Vista sidebar into it. But normally the program files are what it says - for programs only.

 

[Bill2]

Program files folder is a protected folder. As a level of protection against problems, users are, by default, unable to "accidentally" change something in that directory. You can change the permissions as other members have pointed out, so it's not out of your hands. It just wouldn't be smart to do.

 

[Darician]

If you are intent on saving within "Program Files", make sure to launch whatever program you are using to save this file with the "Run as Administrator" option. That should solve the issue.

 

[wazawak]

Thanks for the link, Tepid. Unfortunately, changes to the read-only settings do not seem to be persistent. I uncheck "read-only" and hit ok, then when I open the properties again it has been magically rechecked. Taking Ownership of my program files does not seem to make a difference.

I'm trying to edit .xml files inside the program's directory, so that's why I'm tinkering about in program files. Darician, opening the program in "run as admin" does solve this issue, however it's a bit of a chore to open up xmlspy, hit "open," and then navigate through my file structure to get to the file I need. Is there a way I could set "run as admin" as the default for ALL programs, instead of as a special option? Or perhaps a way to open documents "as admin" directly?

 

[Ztruker]

Would disabling UAC do this for you?

 

[fseal]

Thanks for the link, Tepid. Unfortunately, changes to the read-only settings do not seem to be persistent. I uncheck "read-only" and hit ok, then when I open the properties again it has been magically rechecked. Taking Ownership of my program files does not seem to make a difference.

I'm trying to edit .xml files inside the program's directory, so that's why I'm tinkering about in program files. Darician, opening the program in "run as admin" does solve this issue, however it's a bit of a chore to open up xmlspy, hit "open," and then navigate through my file structure to get to the file I need. Is there a way I could set "run as admin" as the default for ALL programs, instead of as a special option? Or perhaps a way to open documents "as admin" directly?

Actually the "Read Only" attribute of a folder has nothing to do with it being read only. That's an old hold over and is in fact used for something completely different and internal now. All the real permissions are under the security tab for the folder properties.

There is no way to make all programs run as admin, that would be insanely worse security than any version of windows since 9x. However if you changed the attributes of your XMLSPY program to automatically run as admin and .xml files are associated with that program then you should just beable to double click on the .xml file and edit them directly in admin mode...

Also, if you are talking about one folder for a particualr program under c:/Program Files, then go ahead and change the permissions for yourself (your account) for that /one folder/ to allow "Write". As an "Administrator" you have the power to do so, use the power /selectively/ and wisely... Do not go in with a sledgehammer and try to change things en-masse or you will hose your system.