Security Tab in XP

[FrankSG]

I finally found out how to display the Security Tab when you click Properties in a folder. Problem is, I don't know how to use it. :confused: Does anyone know of a tutorial that can be downloaded that shows how to use the various options when clicking on the security tap? Thanks.
~Frank~

[Erik]

What are you trying to accomplish? Basically you just list a user or group and assign what permissions they have on the folder/file. If this is just a standalone computer it isn't really needed.

[FrankSG]

What are you trying to accomplish? Basically you just list a user or group and assign what permissions they have on the folder/file. If this is just a standalone computer it isn't really needed.

This is a standalone computer. But when I run msconfig/selective startup and attempt to clear some of the check-marks form some of the programs that are running at start-up and for which I don't want to run, I get a message that says, "access denied you must logon as administrator to accomplish this."--or some such words.
Even though it says, "access denied" it still carries out what I wanted to do. But I alway get that message. Also, I want to remove some of the "read only" attributes from some of my folders, but I can't accomplish this.
I thought maybe if I click on the Security Tab, I could give myself permission--even though it seems that it should be un-necessary. When I do click on the security tab, there are some options that I must choose--but I'm not sure what to choose.
But then again, I am already logged on as administrator. So, the whole thing has me somewhat confused.:confused: The more I do, the more confused I get.:(

[Erik]

Sounds like an ownership issue. Sometimes (for various reasons) a file or folder can be left with no valid owner, and then even as administrator you don't have the ability to modify them. In that case you need to go the the security tab, click the Advanced button, which opens a new window, and then click on the Owner tab. Here you can set yourself (or any valid account) as the owner of the file and that should solve the problem of access denied.

Of course it could also be a file that is in use (protected OS file or similar) or a virus infection causing the problem.

[Fred_Flintstone]

Hi FrankSG..
Saw a similar problem recently at SWI..
This is what I posted there, might also work for you?

Log on to the computer with an account that is setup as an Administrator. If you are using XP Home, you must boot into safe mode, and then log on to an account that has Admin access in order to access the security tab.
If you are using xp pro, the first thing you must do is disable Simple File Sharing. In a folder menu, click Tools, then Folder Options.
In the "View" tab, scroll down until you see "Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended)". Turn that off. Then close the "Folder Options" window.
Right-click the folder that you want to take control of, and then click Properties. You should see 4 tabs that say "general", "sharing", "Security", and "Customize". Click the Security tab.
Next, click the "Advanced" tab, and then click the Owner tab.
In the user list, click the user name or you want have access to the folder, or click Administrator if you are logged in as the Administrator. If you want to take ownership of the contents of that folder you originally selected, click the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects check box.
Next, click OK, and then select Yes when you receive the message:
"You do not have permission to read the contents of directory folder name. Do you want to replace the directory permissions with permissions granting you Full Control?"

Click "Yes". This will transfer ownership of the folder over to whomever you selected.
Worth a try anyway..
Fred..:p

[FrankSG]

Thanks to both of you. You've both answered some questions for me. I'm going to mess around with it tomorrow.