1

I have a 1TB external (USB) HDD which i used for additional data storage (mostly media files).

Unfortunately, i appear to have changed the permissions on one of the sub-folders, and this is my problem.

The PC which i used the drive on most of the time, has died. Now, putting this external drive into a new PC, i cannot access the said sub-directory (Music) as i do not have permission.

Is it at all possible to resore the permissions of this directory to the default (ie FULL access to EVERYONE with no specifically defined "owner"?

I think the problem now is that the Owner of the folder is my user account from my (now dead) previous PC.

I dont know if this helps but the permissions were adjusted (originally) on a Windows 8 PC, where i was logged in using my Micrsoft Account. Even when plugging in the drive to another Windows 8 PC (this time Surface Pro), and logging in using the same Microsoft Account, i still cannot access the files in the music folder.

Is this possible?

Improve this question
5
  • Maybe you add "Everyone" to "Audit" and not to "Owners"?
    – Searush
    Commented Mar 31, 2014 at 21:08
  • SEARAS, I cannot change any permissions as I'm not the owner. I'm assuming this is because the sub-folder has a specified owner (my user account on my previous PC), whereas normally no owner is defined allowing anyone to change permissions?
    – Salem874
    Commented Mar 31, 2014 at 21:16
  • Try "takeown /f YourFolderName /r" from command prompt (run it as administrator) and tell us if it works. Here's the full explanation: technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753024%28v=ws.10%29.aspx
    – Searush
    Commented Mar 31, 2014 at 21:22
  • @SEARAS: Genius! Its running now, but i can already access the directory! thanks so much, has this solution not been in a comment, I'd mark it a resolved :) One thing though, I take it this will make the directory accessible on any device?
    – Salem874
    Commented Mar 31, 2014 at 21:30
  • I don't know. But I think now you have enough permissions to add "Everyone" to "Audit" and make your folder accessible for every device.
    – Searush
    Commented Mar 31, 2014 at 21:42

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3

Run Command Prompt as administrator (right click->Run as administrator), and type there

takeown /f YourFolderName /r

That's it. This will make you owner of that folder.

For making it accessible to all users, you can do this:
Right click on that folder -> Properties -> Security -> Edit -> Add
and type there "Everyone" (or click Advanced -> Search and find smtg like "Everyone") and click OK buttons. Go back to Security tab, click on "Everyone" (in upper side), and choose "Full Access", click OK.
Now it will become accessible to all users.

Improve this answer
1
  • What if I run that command (in an administrator command shell) and I get "ERROR: Access is denied"?
    – Benjamin Chambers
    Commented Jun 3, 2017 at 17:28

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .