Permissions in Windows 7 determine which users are able to delete, edit, and access folders and files. Each has personalized permission settings. Changing these settings allows you to open or block access to files that are on the computer. If you recently restored data from an old hard drive, you should make yourself the owner of the files before you can access them.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Change permissions
Step 1. Access Windows as an administrator
If you do not identify yourself as an administrator, you will only be able to change the permissions of your own user account. To be able to change the permissions of other accounts on the computer, you should log in with an account that has administrator privileges.
If you do not identify yourself as an administrator, you will not be able to access most permission settings
Step 2. Right click
Do this on the folder or file whose permissions you want to change. You have the possibility to change the rights of any folder or file. Changing the permissions of a folder also applies to all files and folders in that folder.
You cannot apply this change to files that are in use. Be sure to close any programs that are using the folder or file whose permissions you are trying to change
Step 3. Select Properties
This action will open the properties window of the folder or file.
Step 4. Click the Security tab
This section will display a list of users and groups that have rights to the selected item.
If you can't find the Security section, you're probably trying to change the permissions of a file that's on a USB drive. If this device is formatted with a FAT32 file system, you cannot change the permissions of the object. The disk must use an NTFS file system
Step 5. Click the Edit button
This command will allow you to change the permissions of that folder or file for everyone else who uses the computer.
Step 6. Click the Add button
By doing this, you have the option of adding a new group or user to the list of those who are allowed to manipulate this file.
- Click on Advanced, then on To research to display the list of all groups and users on the computer.
- Select the user you want to add to the permissions list and click OK. You will see the selection appear in the section Name of groups or users.
Step 7. Select the user
You have to choose the one for which you want to modify the permissions. The available permissions will be displayed in the section Permissions for (username).
Step 8. Check the boxes
Select the check boxes of the permissions you want to add to this group or user. Each permission in the list has options To allow and Refuse. Check the permissions you want to give the user or those you deny.
- Full control: the user can delete, modify, read or write the file.
- Modification: he has the possibility of modifying, reading or writing the file.
- Read and execute: the user can execute or read the selected file.
- View Folder Contents: Can view files in the selected folder.
- Read: the user has the option to open the file.
- Write: he can modify the selected file or create new ones.
Step 9. Adjust your settings if the boxes are gray
If you are unable to change the permissions, then you should adjust some settings.
- Click on the button Advanced which is in the tab Security.
- Select the user and click Change permissions.
- Uncheck the box Include permissions that can be inherited from the parent of this object.
- Save your changes. You will now be able to check the permission boxes.
Step 10. Click Apply to save the changes
The changes you have made will be taken into account and applied to the user. If you change the permissions for your own account, the changes will take place immediately.
Method 2 of 2: Appropriate an object
Step 1. Log in as administrator
Only accounts that have the required permissions can change folder or file ownership.
Step 2. Open the properties of a file
To do this, right-click on the folder or file whose owners you want to change and click on Properties. This action will open the object properties window.
Step 3. Click the Security tab
This section will display the list of users who are authorized to manipulate the selected item.
If you cannot find this section, you are probably trying to edit the properties of a file that is on a FAT32 formatted USB drive. Security options are only available on NTFS formatted devices
Step 4. Click the Advanced button
This will display the advanced security settings window for the selected folder or file.
Step 5. Click the Owner tab
This section will display a list of potential administrators, current owner and the path to the selected object.
Step 6. Click Edit to change the owner
This command will allow you to choose a new owner from the list.
Step 7. Click Other Users or Groups
If the group or user you want to designate as owner is not in the list, you must click on the button Other users or groups to find and add it.
- Click on Advanced then on Search to bring up all the groups and users that are on the computer.
- Select the user you want to add to the permissions list and click OK. You will see the selection appear in the section Select a new owner.
Step 8. Check the box at the bottom of the section
This is the option Replace owner of subcontainers and objects. This will give the new owner the right to all subfolders of the object that is selected.
Step 9. Save the changes
Click on OK to save the ownership changes. If you open the properties window again and go to the tab Security, you will see that the property has changed in the advanced security settings window.
Step 10. Adjust your permissions
You may set your permissions on a file to Total control even after you've made it your own. To do this, follow the instructions in the first section of this article.
