Member Avatar for Nexus Titan

I hope this is not a stupid question? :eek:

I gotta know if there's any way to protect your window files from being over writen or having any files being saved in your stsem32 folder? :o

Thanks

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Short answer for : whether you can stop files being added or overwritten in System32 depends entirely on which Windows you mean. Windows 9x (Windows 98/Me) does not provide robust, background protection of core files — it includes a System File Checker (SFC) tool you can use to extract/restore files from the install media, but it does not continuously prevent third‑party programs from writing into system folders. (helparchive.huntertur.net)

From Windows 2000/XP onward Microsoft added real-time protection for many core files (Windows File Protection — WFP — which uses the DLL cache to restore replaced files), and NT‑family systems can enforce file ACLs when the volume is NTFS. That means on NT/2000/XP you get both automatic restores for many system binaries and the ability to use real permissions; FAT/FAT32 volumes don’t support per‑file ACLs. (support.microsoft.com)

On Vista and later the protection model changed to Windows Resource Protection (WRP) with the TrustedInstaller/Windows Modules Installer owning many system resources; admins can no longer just overwrite everything without first taking ownership. If a core file is already damaged or overwritten, the supported repair path on modern Windows is to run DISM (when applicable) and then SFC. Example (run from an elevated command prompt): 

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow

These tools will attempt to repair or repopulate protected files from the component store or installation sources. (support.microsoft.com)

Practical checklist (short, version‑aware):

  • Windows 98: use System File Checker (System Tools -> System Information -> System File Checker) or Extract.exe to restore a missing file from the CD; keep regular image backups because 9x has no real ACL protections. (helparchive.huntertur.net)
  • NT/2000/XP: rely on WFP/dllcache for many cases, and keep system volumes on NTFS so you can use ACLs and least‑privilege accounts.
  • Vista+ / modern Windows: use DISM + SFC, keep TrustedInstaller in place, and maintain image backups.
    In every case, the simplest and most reliable protection is a good backup/image and avoiding running unknown installers with system privileges.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for Catweazle

Misplaced topic. This should be in the Tech section. Please state which Windows version you are using and I'll move the thread to the appropriate place for you.

Member Avatar for JJ___

And please proof read your posts. Maybe I'm just a stickler for spelling, but last time I checked 'prtect' wasn't in the dictionary...

commented: Criticising people for typos is not warranted -2
Member Avatar for DMR

And please proof read your posts. Maybe I'm just a stickler for spelling, but last time I checked 'prtect' wasn't in the dictionary...

Hey now, go easy on the new members, JJ___. We all make "finger fouls" once in a while. :)

Nexus Titan,

As Catweazle said, your question does belong in one of our Windows technical forums. Please tell us what version of Windows you're using so that we can move this to the appropriate forum for you.

Member Avatar for server_crash

And please proof read your posts. Maybe I'm just a stickler for spelling, but last time I checked 'prtect' wasn't in the dictionary...

:rolleyes:

I think I remember a program or something called "Universal Shield". I know it blocked you from opening files that were protected by it, but I don't know if that made the files unchangable. I would think(I could be wrong) that those system files are apt to change...I mean, what happens if you want to update a driver which is stored in that directory?

Member Avatar for kc0arf

Hello,

Defining your account on the box as a normal user, and stopping the use of everything as a local administrator. That is the first problem. But be aware that a lot of your materials will not work, because of the flawed Microsoft Security Model.

Of course, that assumes that you are running Windows 2000 or later. If you are still living in 98 or 95 or 3.1, you are a local administrator anyway, and the above will not matter to you.

Christian

Member Avatar for Nexus Titan

Ok next time i won't type in a hurry and use WORD to spell check my post. And yeah when i have time to go around this site. I won't do any boo boo's.

Oh please move this question the the tech section thanks :o

Thank God you have an edit button lol

Save your flames for politician plz :twisted:

Member Avatar for DMR

You still haven't told us what exact version of Windows you're using. We have two separate Windows forums- one for older (95/98/Me) versions and one for newer (2k/XP) versions. We'll know where to place your question once you give us the version you're running.

Member Avatar for Nexus Titan

I'm using 98, NT, Pro, 2000, Linux....

But thanks you may put it in the windows 98 section thanks

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