Unable to access directories even though I'm administrator
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 314
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From: uk
Unable to access directories even though I'm administrator
I have one account that is an administrator on my Vista machine. When I try to open what appears to be a shortcut to a directory (there are a number of these) it tells me 'Access is denied'. If I look at properties it doesn't show where the shortcut is pointing to.
Why can't I look at these? I thought if I was an adminstrator I could do anything!!
Why can't I look at these? I thought if I was an adminstrator I could do anything!!
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
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From: Twickenham, home of rugby
Is it possible that the link is no longer valid? The folder may have been deleted or moved, so that the link no longer points to a valid location. I'm not sure that "Access Denied" would be the appropriate error message, though.
SD
SD
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: LONDON
Why can't I look at these? I thought if I was an adminstrator I could do anything!!
Therefore if a user has created a directory and has removed the administrators group from being able to access that directory then it will remain private to that user.
However as an administrator although you cannot access the directory in question you can add yourself back to the security list to regain access to that directory.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: uk
SD - I tried creating a new shortcut and if you delete the target you do get a more meaningful message.
While doing this, though, I noticed that the ones I'm having a problem with are slightly different - the icon is the same, but it seems like it's dimmed out, just like a menu item which is greyed out and therefore not selectable. These are all under Users and my account name, and are things like Local Settings, Recent, Start Menu, so are obviously system related.
Looking at the security settings, there is one for Everyone that allows list only, but there is also one for administrators and for my account that gives full control - so I don't why I can't even open the shortcut.
As is often the case, there must be something going on that I don't understand..........
While doing this, though, I noticed that the ones I'm having a problem with are slightly different - the icon is the same, but it seems like it's dimmed out, just like a menu item which is greyed out and therefore not selectable. These are all under Users and my account name, and are things like Local Settings, Recent, Start Menu, so are obviously system related.
Looking at the security settings, there is one for Everyone that allows list only, but there is also one for administrators and for my account that gives full control - so I don't why I can't even open the shortcut.
As is often the case, there must be something going on that I don't understand..........
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 51
Likes: 17
From: London
not sure whether this applies to vista but you may have to make yourself an owner of the folder?
we get that on our filesystem sometimes, once you make yourself an owner of the folder you should be able to see the contents and change permissions on them.
just a thought
we get that on our filesystem sometimes, once you make yourself an owner of the folder you should be able to see the contents and change permissions on them.
just a thought
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: KHIO - Portland, Oregon. USA
You need to google for a new type of Icon called a "Junction" in Vista parlance. They are a right PIA, and I've never seen the point in them, but that sounds like your problem....
Permission denied to access folders
Permission denied to access folders
