Tell me more ×
Super User is a question and answer site for computer enthusiasts and power users. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 1 down vote favorite

When I try to access C:\Users\All Users\Desktop, it gives me "Access is denied", even though I'm using an administrator account.

So what I did was I right click the folder >> Properties >> Security.

I clicked the "Edit" button:

enter image description here

I clicked "Add...":

enter image description here

I typed in DIT-NB0952772\common (which is me). I clicked "OK":

enter image description here

I clicked "OK":

enter image description here

There's an error, and I clicked "Cancel":

enter image description here

The same screen appeared again, same error message. I clicked "Cancel" again:

enter image description here

Which gives me this:

enter image description here

It tells me to "apply the correct change immediately to achieve a consistent state",

But how do I fix this error ?

What's the correct change I should be applying to correct the errors above, and to achieve a consistent state ?

share|improve this question

3 Answers

up vote 2 down vote accepted

You'll need to take ownership of the folder and change the permissions to allow you to traverse the folder.

Another way to do this? My preferred method for exploring any file system without changing its state:

Explore your file system using a bootableCD.

share|improve this answer
sry I'm not understanding you. I know that I need change the permissions, but currently the problem is that I do not have permission to change the permissions, even though I'm using an admin account: screenshoot.me/nE5yM8 – Pacerier Oct 15 '11 at 13:09
Being an admin does not mean you can change anything. The owner of the file establishes the permissions on the file. Now being an admin does allow you to take ownership of a file. – surfasb Oct 15 '11 at 17:14
how do I take ownership of the file? I mean isn't checking the "Full Control" taking ownership of the file? screenshoot.me/nE5yM8 – Pacerier Oct 15 '11 at 21:45
@Pacerier: Nope. That just tries to give you Full Control. Maybe I need to retype my answer more than once. . . – surfasb Oct 16 '11 at 12:17
I mean your answers tells me to take ownership of the file.. but how do I take ownership of the file? – Pacerier Oct 16 '11 at 14:17
show 4 more comments
up vote 2 down vote

You should be using C:\Users\Public\Desktop.

C:\Users\All Users\Desktop is just there for compatibility purposes and if any pre-vista program attempts to write to it, vista will re-direct to the new location.

share|improve this answer
Yeah, I probably should of asked what his end result was first. – surfasb Oct 15 '11 at 17:15
I'm having the same error even though I'm doing the exact steps on C:\Users\Public\Public Desktop. screenshoot.me/IOw0iT in the popup I clicked cancel and I get this: screenshoot.me/Kdo63U – Pacerier Oct 18 '11 at 3:06
up vote 1 down vote

I agree with surfasb's point. If you just want to view the contents of the folder, you don't have to change the permissions.

You can simply run a third party file manager (like total commander) tool as Administrator and you should be able to see the contents directly. Most will also allow you to open the Windows properties dialogue to change the permissions. Since you'll be running as Administrator, you'll not see any access denied messages.

If you don't have a third party file manager, you can run a archiving tool like WinRAR or 7-zip as admin and they should also allow you to view the contents of the folders and give you the Windows context menu somewhere.

share|improve this answer
Ok I'm aware that we can run a third party tool to see the contents of the folder but I was wondering what are the steps required to do it without third party tools – Pacerier Oct 18 '11 at 3:07

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.