Access Denied on C Drive (Windows 7)

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Satch

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#151652 1-Sep-2014 11:17

Hi,

I did a new PC build over the weekend and installed Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit on it. For some reason I get "Access Denied" when trying to edit any files on the C drive. The user I have set up has Admin rights.

I'm not really sure where to start. Any basic things I should look at?

Cheers.

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#1119447 1-Sep-2014 11:19

where on C:?

at the root?

Satch

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#1119448 1-Sep-2014 11:20

nathan: where on C:?

at the root?

All/most directories on C:

xpd

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#1119460 1-Sep-2014 11:37

Was it a new HDD ? Or one that had Windows on it from a previous build ?
Check the security permissions as well to see what has access .
Also, what AV are you running ? It might be preventing you thinking its a virus.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Satch

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#1119461 1-Sep-2014 11:39

xpd: Was it a new HDD ? Or one that had Windows on it from a previous build ?
Check the security permissions as well to see what has access .
Also, what AV are you running ? It might be preventing you thinking its a virus.

It was a brand new SSD. I've opened up security permissions so everyone has full access, as well as the user I created with admin rights.
I am only running MSE on the PC.

nathan

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#1119466 1-Sep-2014 11:43

Satch:
nathan: where on C:?

at the root?

All/most directories on C:

system directories or dirs. you have created?

so you can't create a dir and get access denied?

Satch

1985 posts

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#1119470 1-Sep-2014 11:50

nathan:
Satch:
nathan: where on C:?

at the root?

All/most directories on C:

system directories or dirs. you have created?

so you can't create a dir and get access denied?

I can create new dirs off C: and can write to them.

Ok you got my brain working. It was only the Program Files dir and all subdirs. I've changed the security on that and all is now sweet. Thanks!

nathan

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#1119545 1-Sep-2014 12:52

I think the ACLs on program folders are set up like that for UAC to work

So you may want to create your dir somewhere else, unless you really need to have it under program folders

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TwoSeven

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#1119842 1-Sep-2014 19:00

A general rule of thumb (and you will see this in later windows builds) is that you are not really supposed to be writing anything to the root of the C: drive and to any of the system folders (windows/program files/program data). It is really worth while getting into the habit of writing to your documents folders and other library locations (which can be mapped to another drive for example).

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Satch

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#1120407 2-Sep-2014 12:03

TwoSeven: A general rule of thumb (and you will see this in later windows builds) is that you are not really supposed to be writing anything to the root of the C: drive and to any of the system folders (windows/program files/program data). It is really worth while getting into the habit of writing to your documents folders and other library locations (which can be mapped to another drive for example).

Now that would make life boring, wouldn't it :-).

I have DVBLink installed in Program Files and needed to alter the transponder file for NZ in Notepad. That's why I wanted write access to C:.

nathan

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#1120444 2-Sep-2014 13:06

probably right click notepad, run as administrator might be a better way

TwoSeven

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#1120450 2-Sep-2014 13:17

Satch:
TwoSeven: A general rule of thumb (and you will see this in later windows builds) is that you are not really supposed to be writing anything to the root of the C: drive and to any of the system folders (windows/program files/program data). It is really worth while getting into the habit of writing to your documents folders and other library locations (which can be mapped to another drive for example).

Now that would make life boring, wouldn't it :-).

I have DVBLink installed in Program Files and needed to alter the transponder file for NZ in Notepad. That's why I wanted write access to C:.

One of the things that the changes were introduced to do is stop people doing this and get the developers to write their software correctly [jest].

Technically, that file should be in app data or in the user data section depending on access requirements.

However, you can edit it by running an editing tool under an elevated prompt (the old right-click and run as administrator).

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bagheera

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#1120485 2-Sep-2014 13:57

or notepad++ with save as admin plugin install - it great as i always forget to run as admin before editing

Satch

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#1121060 3-Sep-2014 11:49

I also need to add other files to plugin dirs on C etc to get it all working. I have full C: access now so am Larry :-)

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#1121085 3-Sep-2014 12:39

Satch: I also need to add other files to plugin dirs on C etc to get it all working. I have full C: access now so am Larry :-)

The end effect of what you have done is malware can now freely disguise itself by replacing DLLs of legitimate programs. As someone said what you should have done is elevated the rights of your text editor when needed, and you should have only changed the ACLs on your plugin dir.

Basically first drive by download and your entire machine is pwned.

Satch

1985 posts

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#1121086 3-Sep-2014 12:41

Glassboy:
Satch: I also need to add other files to plugin dirs on C etc to get it all working. I have full C: access now so am Larry :-)

The end effect of what you have done is malware can now freely disguise itself by replacing DLLs of legitimate programs. As someone said what you should have done is elevated the rights of your text editor when needed, and you should have only changed the ACLs on your plugin dir.

Basically first drive by download and your entire machine is pwned.

I guess I've been lucky over the past 20 or so years then as I've always had full write access to my C: drives. I like to live dangerously :-).

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