Administrator not an Administrator?

I have copied some files from an XP computer to a PC running Windows 7. I am logged on as a user who is marked as an Administrator.

When I try to access the directory, I am told I don't have permission. Understandable, but what is odd is that I as an administrator don't have access to take ownership of the files. I don't have permission to add users in the ACL or to take ownership, indeed such options are greyed out.

Why as an administrator user can I not take ownership of files?

Sonny Ordell

Posted 2011-04-07T22:32:33.890

Reputation: 1 357

You don't even have the option to take ownership and then change permissions?? – nhinkle – 2011-04-07T22:35:39.607

This happened to me once on XP, but was easily fixed by a reboot. I don't know why, it doesn't make any sense, but maybe this could work for you, too? – Kromey – 2011-04-07T22:40:11.023

No, it's greyed out where I would select/search for users... – Sonny Ordell – 2011-04-07T22:41:23.823

it is possible to (un)intentionally mark yourself as having no access to a file or folder. in this case you might try having another administrator try taking ownership and then see if they can grant you access to it – Xantec – 2011-04-07T22:42:07.973

Answers

Try opening an elevated CMD window (right click> Run as Administrator) and type:

Net user administrator /active:yes

Confirm the command ran successfully then log off and log back in as the administrator account. After logging in as the built-in administrator account you should be able to take ownership.

Do not use this account for anything other than troubleshooting, never for everyday use.

If you wish To disable the account:

Net user administrator /active:no

Supercereal

Posted 2011-04-07T22:32:33.890

Reputation: 8 643

Ah, this didn't work. I still don't have permission and the options are still greyed out as per my normal user account (which is also an Administrator). – Sonny Ordell – 2011-04-08T00:53:22.467

@sonny you are still unable to take ownership? – Supercereal – 2011-04-08T01:46:05.077

Yes, I just get that I don't have permission to do this. Oddly enough even on the XP computer I get the same error with the XP administrator account. – Sonny Ordell – 2011-04-08T02:37:56.347

That's very odd @sonny, I had the same problem when I first migrating to windows 7 and it worked for me. I can't think of what else could be causing it unless you used, deny permissions but even then you should be able to take ownership. – Supercereal – 2011-04-08T13:52:23.310

Oh yeah thanks @moab for the edit extremely valid point... in terms of UAC that would be like running as root. – Supercereal – 2011-04-08T13:52:54.293

Yes, running in the hidden admin account disables UAC and protected mode in Internet Explorer. – Moab – 2011-04-08T14:35:12.603

Well, even on the XP computer, the administrator account doesn't have access to the quetzal folder. I have never seen this and am having trouble remedying it. – Sonny Ordell – 2011-04-08T19:31:45.307

I have never seen this either @sonny. Do you see any random SID's that do have permissions or are they entirely blank? – Supercereal – 2011-04-08T19:43:51.970

on XP the owner SID is recognized and has permission...the SID isn't recognized on windows 7 so appears as random... – Sonny Ordell – 2011-04-08T20:01:36.417

Wow so it recognizes the SID and has permissions but you still can't do anything with the files? if you have permissions on XP can you try adding the "everyone" group? – Supercereal – 2011-04-08T20:28:01.617

I did that, but it doesn't let me replace permissions on child objects at all. – Sonny Ordell – 2011-04-08T22:03:31.533

there is a box you have to tick to replace it on child objects make sure these permissions aren't being inherited from a parent directory. Both these options are under advanced in the security tab. – Supercereal – 2011-04-08T22:11:45.383

Yep, ticket that, but just get permission denied when trying to make any change. – Sonny Ordell – 2011-04-09T01:45:56.093

I had the same problem with my Windows 7 64-bit. I was finally able to do it as mentioned above by running Command Prompt as Administrator and then executing the following Batch File from the Dos Shell.

SET DIRECTORY_NAME="C:\Windows.old.000"
TAKEOWN /f %DIRECTORY_NAME% /r /d y
ICACLS %DIRECTORY_NAME% /grant administrators:F /t
PAUSE

Replace DIRECTORY_NAME with your directory you want to delete. This way you don't have to logout and come back in as a real Administrator instead of your normal login with Administrator "rights".

I do agree as mentioned above that one should not do everyday work as an Administrator.

Larry S. Peteet

Posted 2011-04-07T22:32:33.890

Reputation: 1