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Jonsimon
0 pts.
 Locked Windows document files
Desktops, Management, Microsoft Windows, OS, Security, Servers, SQL Server, Tech support
I recently reinstalled Windows on a user's computer. They were /are using WinXP Home and set their documents directory with security. I reinstalled the PC with their same user name and passwords, but they cannot open these files any longer. Is there a way to remove the security? Some of these files are very important.

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ASKED: February 19, 2006  4:03 PM
UPDATED: March 24, 2006  10:11 AM
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Answer Wiki:
You have to login as administrator. On the welcome screen pres ctrl+alt+del twice. Then right click on the folder you want to access and go to properties. Then using the security tab you have to take ownership of the folder and the files.
Last Wiki Answer Submitted:  February 20, 2006  1:37 am  by  Pontios   0 pts.
All Answer Wiki Contributors:  Pontios   0 pts.
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Unfortunately the ctrl-alt-del will not work with windows XP home.
I found this article in the microsoft kbase.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421/en-us
How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP

Dreamscape
 0 pts.
 

You are correct. However i did forget to mention that on xp home you login as admin in safe mode.

Pontios
 0 pts.
 

if they are on a folder, just right click this, select properties and then the security tab,click “Advanced” , then click “Owner” tab, select “administrators/yourcomputernameadministrators”
check “Raplace owner on subcontainers and objecte”, click ok on the next message that appears and that will do it..

At your service…

Gehc69
 0 pts.
 

CTRL-ALT-DEL DOES work. You just have to di it two (or three) times in a row.

Boecherer
 0 pts.
 

Thank you all for your replies. I was able to access two of the more than fifty files with this method.

Reinstalling caused the (or at lest exasperated) the problem.

I booted in safe mode as Administrator, changed the security on the files. Some allowed me to do, but still did not grant access, some refused me to get aqt the permissions saying the files were read only (could not change that either) and two allowed me to change the permissions and read them.

Any other ideas?

Jonsimon
 0 pts.
 

How about copying them to a new location while you’re logged on as Admin?

DaveInAZ
 0 pts.