Member Avatar for dribm

Hello, I have 25 years experience but i am stumped. I am usually the guy that finds that unknown solution but this time I need help. Have hard drive from computer number one, ran win xp repair, no fix does not boot ,virus [reboots]. I need to access 2 folders that were privatized.
solution put drive in as second hard drive in computer #2. Go to d:\docs & to folde user account that is private.right click on properties.should be able to uncheck private folder but it is grayed. I boot in safe mode same thing. Open dos window
in reg and then safemode both still no access , can not change or copy to another location.
I plan on reformatrting but need to save both user account s docs folders lots of stuff.
Using windows XP pro.Looked under manage no solution,also went to control panel admin did not see solution there either.
possible solution make folders unprivate with command prompt dos commands ?
manage and control admin do not address any hard drives other than one running that copy of windows.Please help!!Thank you
dribm:'(

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by sheanchadwick

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Following 's prompt about taking ownership (which confirmed solved the immediate problem), here is a compact, practical recovery plan for NTFS "private" folders on a drive moved to a second Windows XP system.

The usual cause is NTFS ACLs tied to the original user SIDs; the host OS therefore lacks rights even in Safe Mode. Standard remedy: take ownership of the folder tree and then grant a local Administrators account Full Control. From the host XP install, disable Simple File Sharing if present (Explorer -> Tools -> Folder Options -> View -> uncheck "Use Simple File Sharing"). Then right‑click the problem folder -> Properties -> Security -> Advanced -> Owner. Select the local Administrators group or the current admin account and check the box to apply the change to subfolders and files. After the owner change, use the Security tab to add Administrators (or the host account) and grant Full Control; apply permissions to all child objects.

A working command‑line alternative on XP is cacls. Example (run from an elevated prompt on the host):

cacls "D:\Documents and Settings\OldUser\My Documents" /E /T /C /G Administrators:F

Explanation: /E edits instead of replaces, /T applies recursively, /C continues on errors, /G grants rights. Test access after these operations before deleting or reformatting anything.

Important cautions: if the files were encrypted with EFS (check Properties -> Advanced -> "Encrypt contents to secure data"), taking ownership will not decrypt them; the original user certificate and private key are required. If EFS is present, boot the original system (if possible) and export the user certificate/private key before wiping. If ownership/permission changes fail, a Linux live CD can often copy files regardless of NTFS ACLs (it will not decrypt EFS). Make a full disk image or copy files to an external drive and verify integrity before reformatting. Note that 's Sharing-tab approach helps network-share scenarios but does not replace taking ownership on a local offline NTFS volume.

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Member Avatar for Ole Raptor

crazy question but have you taken ownership of the files?

Member Avatar for dribm

crazy question but have you taken ownership of the files?

I have done many things, learned many things done the impossible . I did not know this one. I saw it but did not understand completely was almost there,just did not check box.Thank you
Help very much appreciated.
Dribm

Member Avatar for Ole Raptor

so that let you get your files?

Member Avatar for sheanchadwick

Dribm,

Is your problem solved? I know it may sound stupid to you. Maybe you should try to add yourself as an ADMINISTRATOR under the Sharing Tab for the Folder? What I mean, for an example....you are currently using USER1, which is an administrator account. Right-click the folder which you are unable to access the account,go to Security & Sharing. Select Security, Add yourself COMPUTERNAME\USER1 as an administrator. Then ALLOW FULL CONTROL for this account.Click ok. See how it goes, let me know if it works,thanks!

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