Restore default Windows permissions

Hi,

Running Windows 7 x64 Ultimate on an ASUS G74SX with an added SSD (Intel 120GB).

I made the mistake of trying to move the ProgramData folder from my SSD to my internal HDD. Not only was it bad sense Windows-wise, but after I thought about it, it makes a lot more sense to have that on the SSD anyway. Regardless, moving it required me to "take ownership" and add myself full permissions, etc. It didn't fully move, though. I tried file unlockers, etc. to no avail. I moved it all back where it was, but the permissions were already changed.

Some of you may recall a thread I started awhile back about Windows Search not working. Well, I'm convinced that these permission issues is the reason.

I wasn't even able to use Windows Update after I tried moving the ProgramData folder! After quite a bit of Googling, I finally found a series of commands (in the CMD prompt, run as admin) to reset the security settings for the Windows Update service, so I've fixed that.

A few times when I've booted the computer, after entering my logon password, the screen goes black for several MINUTES, and finally shows up normally. This also started happening immediately after I tried to move the ProgramData folder.

Anyway, I have an extremely slow (16KB/s) internet connection with limited data (I am a US soldier, currently deployed), so reinstalling Windows (and thusly, ALL of the updates) is not really on the table. Also, I have Acronis, but hadn't bothered to image my SSD to one of my external drives in awhile (yeah yeah, I know, TRUST me... I know haha), so I don't have a backup to go to. I also have System Restore disabled (usually, because I have an Acronis backup lol).

I've tried running sfc /scannow SEVERAL times. It said it fixed some things, but it's definitely not fixed everything, i.e. Windows Search. Generally, my computer still works OK, but I'd really like the ProgramData folder the way it was. I do have a Windows 7 disk, if that matters.

Soooo... is there some way to restore the permissions for the ProgramData folder/subfolders to system defaults?

 

Go to Control Panel, then do Search | Default Programs, that'll bring up the default programs page where you can set the default programs for various functions. Hope that helps you out.

 

Restore security settings to default. Run cmd at administrator level (elevated):
secedit /configure /cfg %windir%\inf\defltbase.inf /db defltbase.sdb /verbose

http://social.technet.microsoft.com.../thread/d09a393b-68df-43de-9f31-735f83242497/

 

More info:

c:\ProgramData is a real folder
c:\users\All Users is a symbolic link to c:\ProgramData

Symbolic links are "shortcuts" to files/folders that reside elsewhere.

So, cd \users\all users is the same as cd \ProgramData

So, you could possibly fix this issue by mklink /d "c:\Users\All Users" (new drive letter):\blah

Example:

mklink /d "c:\users\All users" x:\ProgramData

BTW, thanks for making me look into this. I can see real world applications for this. :cool

 

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=7141
Have a look at the video. I'd give it a shot.

Cheers..

 

"Default Programs" has nothing at all to do with the C:\ProgramData, or NTFS permissions.

In that same thread, it's pointed out that secedit shouldn't be used with Vista/7. Also, that command obviously has something to do with C:\Windows, NOT C:\ProgramData.

Again... this has to do with SYSTEM file permissions.

That program looks like it could be helpful. I downloaded it and tried the fix file permissions thing... it ran ok, but after the required reboot, everything is the same. And now (this is new), the hotkey for turning off my touchpad, and "disable internal pointing device when external device is connected" don't work.:confused

 

Well, can someone please tell me what the COMPLETE default permissions are for the C:\ProgramData folder? I may attempt to reset them manually (I've already given ownership to SYSTEM, but I also have Everyone, Users, and Administrators as having Full Control right now, and I'm pretty sure that's not correct).

 

Hopefully this may help.

 

Thanks! Any chance you can add the list of "special permissions" for Users, please?

 

You're right. Sorry, I misread "permissions" as "programs". My mistake.

 

Perhaps, if you'd actually read my post, instead of simply misreading the thread title, you would've realized what I was actually talking about.

 

And perhaps if you had actually thought about it, you'd have realized that an optional apology deserves an acknowledgment and not a holier-than-though cut-up. Next time, I won't put forth the effort.

 

Here you go

Users - Special - Apply to This folder and subfolders

• Create files / write data
• Create folders / append data
• Write attributes
• Write extended attributes

Users - Read & execute - Apply to this folder, subfolders and files

• Traverse folder / execute file
• List folder / read data
• Read attributes
• Read extended attributes
• Read permissions

 

Thanks again... and I've set all permissions per your pic/list, and things are still the way they were. I think it is something that goes deeper than the visible NTFS permissions menus... but I don't know how to edit anything on that level. I suppose a re-installation is my only option then? BTW, Acronis is installed and backup made... I should've done that awhile back, but oh well!

 

Excuse my less-than-nothing most humble self. You're COMPLETELY right! I owe you my life, due to the fact that you barely focused your eyes for a second on my thread title before deciding it was a great opportunity to use your extremely limited knowledge to type up a post count addition. Let's also completely ignore the fact that by the way I worded my post, anyone could tell that the "Default Programs" option (which displays EVERY time I click my Start orb) would've completely eluded my stupid self had you not came in here with your shining armor and given me your most generous advice.

Valiant effort! And apology acknowledged! Can we get along now, please?

 

I use Tweaking.com All-in-One Repair Tool which includes the ability to reset all file/folder permissions. You don't have to perform all of the repairs, only the ones you want/need.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/tweaking_com_windows_repair.html

 

While an old thread, correct information should still be given for others coming across it:

to restore access permissions, the following will need to be entered into an admin command prompt:

icacls "c:\programdata" /reset /T /C

This will reset the access permissions back to what they were upon install.

If this doesn't work, a person has a couple of choices:

1. Run dism /online /cleanup-image /restoreheatlh in admin cmd. I don't believe this advanced command was included in Win 7 by default, so a requirement for this would be to download the Windows 7 WAIK from Microsoft.com which would include the full Deployment and Imaging Tools Environment
2. Attempt to use dism with the /source command, however, the source must be either a Windows installation disk for your architecture of Windows, or an offline Windows installation of the same architecture which DISM can copy files from
3. The easiest way, although more time consuming, will be to use your Windows Installation Media to "upgrade" to the same version and architecture of Windows that is currently installed. This is called a Repair Install and it must be perfomed like an upgrade, i.e. the installation must be rain from within the booted OS, and the "upgrade" option must be selected. This will allow you to keep all installed programs and user data, although there may be a handful of programs and drivers that may need to be installed if they installed files into the %windir% [Windows Folder], as a repair install replaces all system files within the %windir% and a select few other locations.

 

Security Settings and file permissions are two completely different things and this will not solve the issue.

Proper command for fixing file access permissions is:

icacls "c:" /reset /T /C