Why can't I access info all of a sudden????

Hi All!
Well, I'm certainly confused...and ticked-off! I've been using my old laptop that runs Vista HP SP-2 as, I got sooooo frustrated with my ultra-annoying newer laptop that runs Windows Hate...oops, I mean Windows 8 because of "8s" overdone Security issues that kept denying me access to my own files on my own PC :mad. (Just so you understand, I'm the ONLY one who uses both of these PCs; I bought them; I made every file, folder, picture, shortcut etc.; I installed EVERY program, download, update...well, I think you get what I'm trying to explain) Anyway, my Windows 8 kept crashing so I took it to the shop for a check-up, as it's still under warranty, so I've been using my Vista HP. I know I'll have to set-up the WiFi connection on "8" when I bring it home so I thought I should have the password info ready. I USED to be able to access this info by right-clicking on the icon in my taskbar; clicking on "Properties" & then putting a check mark in the little box to show the password's characters. Well, I found out yesterday that I can no longer check that little box!!! How and when did I lose permission to access MY OWN password? When I found that out I tried to open other files & folders that I USED to be able to open, and suddenly I'm "DENIED ACCESS", or I "DON'T HAVE PERMISSION TO SHARE THIS FILE"...or, worse yet..."YOU DON'T HAVE PERMISSION TO CHANGE FILE SHARING"!!! %#$@&* These are MY OWN PCs, & I'm the ONLY ONE who has EVER used them or ever will!! How did the ultra-paranoid control freaks at Micro$oft change settings so I can't do what I want on my own PCs??? I haven't any idea what to do to undo whatever happened to change the "permissions" on my PCs. Will someone PLEASE tell me how to get to my WiFi Password so I can set-up my "8" when I get it back from the shop AND how do I restore all the "permissions" that somehow were changed? Thank you in advance for your help.
Frantically, confused & annoyed,
Nuts4Mutts

 

See if you can install, update, and run Malwarebytes first...take the free trial.
I always remove everything that it finds, but have had Kaspersky Rescue Disk find system files that were compromised, and then replaced them using an alternative operating system.
If no go for Malwarebytes then...
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407
I assume you are using an antivirus and your firewall is functioning...
I like Avast Free for an antivirus, but custom install it with no Google Chrome, and only install the basic services, I do utilize its boot scan on occasion also...