Access “private” folders protected by NTFS
I won’t go into the backstory on this, because it would take too long. Basically, the hard drive where Linux and Windows co-exist with a dual boot loader installed will not boot at the moment.
Rather than fight with the friggin thing, I swapped that hard drive with another drive that I had inside of an IDE-to-USB enclosure and installed Windows on it. I can just plug my former hard drive into a USB port and get at the files that are on it. This is just temporary. I had other things to do than fight with an obstinate motherboard.
One problem – The user went and made the‘\Documents and Settings\Administrator\’ directory “private”, just before taking it to the repair shop. When I plugged it into the USB port, Windows wouldn’t let me access that folder! Talk about Murphy’s Law.
Anyway, I searched around for a while for an an answer to this problem and it turns out to be ridiculously simple to fix.
1) Log into an administrator’s account
2) Go to Folder Options and turn off “use simple file sharing”
3) Right-click the protected folder, click “properties” and click the security tab
4) Take over ownership of the folder and all subobjects
Booo Yah! Take that Microsoft!
_TheAdmin_
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about 3 years ago
Unfortunately your method here is a “professional” method. Windows Home edition users are left in the cold here. I wish Microsoft would make one Edition with everything enabled at a reasonable price. That way everything can be done one way rather than requiring a different method depending on your particular flavor.
about 3 years ago
I am with you Credomane! But where are you at with the private files on XP home… Let us help you, help yourself.
about 3 years ago
I personally don’t have this problem. Was just pointing it out. Wouldn’t have made the comment if I had checked the date of this entry in the first place. Going on 2 years….I simply clicked on the related posts to today’s entry because it caught my attention. I normally use my station (linux) when I run into this problem with users.
about 3 years ago
Gotcha. Well thanks for stopping by. We are always looking for other admins to write for us – let me know if you have any interest.
about 3 years ago
In windows home just go into safe mode and you can take ownership of files there.
about 3 years ago
Just what I needed thanks WK!