Re: access denied to program files directory

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From: Steve Winograd [MVP] (winograd_at_pobox.com)
Date: 06/24/04 

Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2004 03:44:39 -0600

In article <20b5001c4598d$8e1ef1f0$a501280a@phx.gbl>, "Kevin Sink"
<kevinsink@northstate.net> wrote:
>I have two PCs networked one has a new XP installation and
>the other has XP upgrade from Win 98. Both have sharing
>enabled on the entire hard drive. When I try to open
>the "program files" directory on the new PC from the
>upgraded one I get an "access denied" error. I can open
>all of the other folders on the drive and can open
>everything on the upgrade PC from the new PC. What is
>causing this?

I'm sorry, but that's how Windows XP works when it's installed on an
NTFS disk partition using "simple file sharing". It blocks access to
the Program Files and Windows folders and to individual users' folders
within Documents and Settings.

You can share subfolders within those folders, e.g. you can share
"C:\Program Files\Outlook Express" or "C:\Documents and
Settings\Username\Desktop" and access that folder from another
computer on the network.

If you have Windows XP Professional, you can permanently disable
Simple File Sharing, which removes those sharing restrictions:

1. Open My Computer and click Tools | Folder Options | View.
2. Scroll to the end of the advanced settings.
3. Un-check "Use simple file sharing (recommended)".

If you have Windows XP Home Edition, there's no easy solution. The
safest thing is to share individual subfolders, as mentioned above.

You can re-install the operating system on a FAT or FAT32 disk
partition -- those disk formats don't have any sharing restrictions.
However, that would lose the benefits of NTFS, which is more reliable
and efficient and can use larger disks. You'd also need to re-install
all of your applications.

I've heard of two possible solutions for XP Home Edition on an NTFS
disk partition, but:

1. They're un-supported, un-documented, and un-tested by Microsoft.
2. There's no guarantee that they'll work.
3. They might cause data loss or corruption.

I haven't tried them, and I don't know whether they're safe. If you
want to try them, at your own risk:

1. Back up your important data first so that you can restore it in
case of problems.

2. Run System Restore to create a restore point that you can go back
to in case of problems.

Here they are:

1. Start Windows XP in "Safe Mode with Networking" (which temporarily
disables "Simple File Sharing"), share the desired folder(s), set the
permissions, and reboot normally, or:

2. Follow the procedure shown here:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_home_sectab.htm 

-- 
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)
Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see.  I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Security tab
    ... MS-MVP Windows Shell/User ... is formatted FAT32 you will never see the Security tab. ... The Security tab is available for files or folders ... On the View tab, under Advanced settings, clear: Use simple file sharing ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage)
  • Re: XPpro to XPhome
    ... NTFS disk partition using "simple file sharing". ... access to the Program Files and Windows folders and to individual ... users' folders within Documents and Settings. ... Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking) ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: sharing files between two computers
    ... >>> wondering if theres a way i can set the file sharing so i can share the whole ... Which folders wouldn't it let you share? ... Windows XP blocks networked access to the Program Files ... computer on the network. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Continued inquiry re "permissions"
    ... Windows, for the relevant folders to be shared and to permit others to change ... for simple file sharing, and the relevant folders are already set to be ... Accounts, and more importantly, managing Access Rights, in Windows XP? ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.file_system)
  • Re: How do I stop shared files opening as read-only?
    ... Sue B wrote: ... networking. ... We are sharing our 'my documents' folders. ...
    (microsoft.public.office.misc)