Windows File Permission Frustrations

File permissions are a great feature, let me say that first of all. They allow a system to know what files can be used by which users. While this isn't a bullet proof security measure it does make it difficult for malicious programs to get into a system.

However, I have been having trouble with some file permissions. I have several large external hard drives that I keep movies on. Since I have changed computers a few times since creating the folders on these drives the permissions belong to several different users from the various computers (even though they are technically all me). Some folders I can only look at but can't add anything to, others I can add files but can't delete. It is a mess.

This method essentially removes the permissions and lets anyone have full access to these files. Since these are files I want access to but don't really care about this is fine for me, but make sure that this won't cause problems for you in other ways.

I just figured out a solution (I think). Right click on the root folder, the one that has all the other folders in it. Mine is called Movies 1. Go to Properties. Under the security tab click Advanced.

You will need administrator privileges from here on out. Remember, you SHOULD NOT be using your computer in administrator mode, Windows will ask for admin permissions when it needs them. If you don't have admin access to the computer you will not be able to continue.

The new window will show you who "owns" the folder. Click the Change link next to the name. In this new window will be a box labeled "Enter the object name to select". This is asking for the user who should be the owner of this folder. It calls the user an object simply because in some cases an owner can be something other than a user representing a person. In this box type "everyone" and click Check Names to the right. The "everyone" you just typed should now be capitalized and underlined. Click OK to close the window.

This will take you back to the Advanced Security Settings window. There should be two check boxes, one near the top one near the bottom labeled "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects" and "Replace all child permission entries ..." respectively. Check BOTH of these boxes and click Apply. Now the folder and all folders and files it contains should belong to "everyone" meaning there are no permissions on the files.

I hope this helps you. I have been trying for a long time to fix this and just found this solution.

NOTE: In trying other solutions I also added a "Principal" user in the Advanced Security Settings window for "Everyone". This may also be required, though I am not sure since it is already there on mine.