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Protected Folder Win XP

Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:35 am
by hawleyjr
I had to (Was forced to) reinstall windows on my laptop loosing some files I foolishly did not backup. I am still able to see a directory with the user name from my prior install of windows. ex: c:\Documents and Settings\my old user However, when I click on this dir I get a access denied error. Is there anyway to unprotect this folder? I'm logged in as the administrator.

Thanks for the help guys.

Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:18 am
by s.dot
If you right click on the folder and go to properties > security .. confirm administration status, you can access the list of users and what permissions they have on the folder.

Although I've tried that before with no luck. However, I copied the folder to a new location, and voila! I had access.

EDIT| For some reason I was thinking Vista with this post. Perhaps the same applies to XP as well. I kind of forget about how xp works. 8O

Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 7:37 am
by Zoxive
Try logging in under safe mode, under administrator. The Security Tab should be visible now. (Under Xp Home), If you have professional, you need to disable simple file sharing.

I had the same problem before. On my 2nd hard drive I had a protected folder, and forgot it was protected, and formatted the main hard drive.

I think that's the way I got my information back.

Step By Step Instructions

Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:43 am
by Maugrim_The_Reaper
Copy it to a new location you control with your user - like the desktop. It works for most things including Vista. Vista actually sucks worse since the permission checks are so restrictive you can't read half the system files you want, but can copy them at will. Something really sick/stupid about that...

If that doesn't work, get a Linux Live distro on CD (PCLinux rules here since it mounts Windows drives without prompting). Boot from it, get to the desktop, head for the Windows mounted drive, and copy anything you want.

Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 3:35 pm
by s.dot
I found it weird also that copying a folder completely modifies it's permissions. Is this the same on linux?

Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 3:36 pm
by hawleyjr
Hey guys thanks for the tips. I was unable to copy and paste the directory. However, in safe mode I was able to transfer ownership to the Administrator and then to my new user profile and was able to retrieve my files.

Thanks again!