User permissions

Andybtsn · 2 Jan 2011 at 13:09

Hi guys,

I've never come across this issue before but usually when I do a clean install of Windows 7 Home, me being the only user it always gives me full control to everything on the PC, however, I had to run VLC as administrator to install. I wanted to edit something in sys32 folder and I wasn't allowed. Any ideas how this could have arose? Something to do with removing Windows installed programs or anything?

Here is what I see in user permissions. TBH I can only usually remember seeing the PC name (Andromeda) and guest or whatnot.

OCdude · 2 Jan 2011 at 13:15

I think that's normal, sure it wasn't just UAC blocking it?

Andybtsn · 2 Jan 2011 at 13:16

Well usually I can just turn UAC completely off, I've done this on every Win 7 build I've ever used and it's never caused issues. Now I have to turn UAC on in order to make changes to my PC.

Andybtsn · 3 Jan 2011 at 02:07

Guys, UAC turned on or off I still can't edit files in system32 folder? I don't understand, I'm the only admin on the Laptop, there is no other user account to activate to do such changes?

loltim · 3 Jan 2011 at 02:20

I had this problem. In the end I think I just enabled the built in Administrator account (disabled by default) and deleted the one I created when installing windows, after copying across the profile user data.

It's weird though, it should just work if it's in the Administrators group, but UAC seems to interfere.

arknor · 3 Jan 2011 at 02:36

try to take ownership of the folfer/file

theres a registry patch that adds the option to "take ownership" onto the right click menu

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind...ership-to-explorer-right-click-menu-in-vista/

its pretty much a must have modification , i hate windows everything is harder than ever and its full of headaches ...

for instance i wanted to setup a shared folder on my stepsons brand new laptop on his old xp one it was dead simple...

under windows 7 its a friggin nightmare and i cant manage to share any custom folders so i had to go with windos default thing of sharing the "users" folder

i wish they would allow advanced users to have a version of windows without all the baby sitting functions

loltim · 3 Jan 2011 at 02:36

Found this too:

1.Click Start.
2.Click Computer (you can also found this icon on the desktop).
3.Right click on the Hard Disk icon where your OS is installed on and click Properties.
4.Click the Security tab.
5.Click the Advanced tab.
6.Click the Change Permissions button located after the Permission Entries list.
7.A new window will appear on your screen. Such a window contains a list of all the user accounts available on your computer.
8.Select the user account you want to give total control over your Windows 7 and click the Edit button.
9.Now, tick the checkbox labeled “Total Control” and press OK.
10.Done!

Andybtsn · 3 Jan 2011 at 02:45

Thanks Tim, will try.

And thanks aknor, the registry thing worked. Proper faff though

asim18 · 3 Jan 2011 at 02:46

Andybtsn said:
Guys, UAC turned on or off I still can't edit files in system32 folder? I don't understand, I'm the only admin on the Laptop, there is no other user account to activate to do such changes?

It doesn't matter if you're the only admin, there are certain system files which you just dont have permission to modify by default.

And please don't apply full control to your whole C: drive like Tim suggested. If there's a specific file you want to modify, just take ownership of the one.

asim18 · 3 Jan 2011 at 02:58

arknor said:
i hate windows everything is harder than ever and its full of headaches ...

for instance i wanted to setup a shared folder on my stepsons brand new laptop on his old xp one it was dead simple...

under windows 7 its a friggin nightmare and i cant manage to share any custom folders so i had to go with windos default thing of sharing the "users" folder

i wish they would allow advanced users to have a version of windows without all the baby sitting functions

Ahahah. You want a version for "advanced users" and you don't even know where to manage shared folders?

I've never had a problem setting up shares on Windows 7. Either right click the folder and click "Share with" if you're a noob. Or if you're actually an "Advanced user" use compmgmt.msc.

EDIT: I assume you're using HomePremium? Because that won't let you manage shares in Computer Management. You need Professional

loltim · 3 Jan 2011 at 02:58

asim18 said:
And please don't apply full control to your whole C: drive like Tim suggested. If there's a specific file you want to modify, just take ownership of the one.

Do you mean from a security threat perspective, or were you implying the OP is going to delete something by accident?

Genuine question, not being arsey

asim18 · 3 Jan 2011 at 03:03

Tim said:
Do you mean from a security threat perspective, or were you implying the OP is going to delete something by accident?

Genuine question, not being arsey

Could very well be a security threat, but I was referring more to user error. There's a reason they haven't given even admins the rights to those files.

loltim · 3 Jan 2011 at 03:05

asim18 said:
Could very well be a security threat, but I was referring more to user error. There's a reason they haven't given even admins the rights to those files.

Thought as much. To be fair I did check the OP's occupation before suggesting it

arknor · 3 Jan 2011 at 03:44

asim18 said:
Could very well be a security threat, but I was referring more to user error. There's a reason they haven't given even admins the rights to those files.

never a problem in the older versions of windows and even if something did go wrong with system files there was always a really easy way to have a windows disc recheck system files and fix any which were missing/altered.

did you know you can even do a soft reinstall of windows where you dont lose any files/folders and keep all your windows settings :O