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I can't access non-windows folders, such as Adobe program folders, even as an admin.

Anonymous
2017-12-18T06:38:54+00:00

"The item referred to by this shortcut cannot be accessed. You may not have appropriate permissions" - I'm seeing this pop up on formerly working shortcuts, such as Lightroom. When I go into the files and try to open the Adobe folder, I'm told I don't have permission to access the folder. 

When I try to take permission, I'm told I have to use the securities tab, and then I'm told I don't have rights, even as an admin (again) and to go into the change tab...and then I get lost as I don't see how to find the folder in question.  

I installed these programs, and have accessed these folders before. This started happening just after the update that installed on 12/9. Other weirdness includes causing my screen calibration software to not work, and causing failures in games to start.

I've rolled back the install, and am still have the same issues with opening folders (the screen calibration and games seem to be working again). 

What's really frustrating is that after the update earlier in the fall, everything was humming along smoothly, and everything seemed faster/more responsive than previously, and now it's gone the other way.

How to I get access back for these folders/programs?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-12-29T03:09:12+00:00

    Hi Clark Ari,

    Thank you for the additional and detailed reply.  I'm walking through it, and have a couple of questions- I don't have an 'everyone' - can I use Users or Administrators as owners?  I know - probably a super basic question, but I don't want to compromise any security features.

    Looking at the advanced security settings, it has the owner listed at 'Trusted Installer'

    Also, the command set that was written by Frederik Long did allow me to take get back into my lightroom files (and run the program).  Beforehand, it was having a similar issue as the NVidia folder below.  

    Looking at the security settings as shown by you, I tried to change the ownership of my NVidia folder - I can't update it since I can't run the program or get into the folder.  When I tried to change ownership, it shows for that folder that it's 'Unable to display current owner' and then denies me switching it to the Administrator 

    Could something like this have happened due to an interrupted update?  

    Thank you,

    Christopher

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-12-18T10:54:45+00:00

    c:\Program Files\Adobe

    Under normal circumstances you should not have to modify the existing access permissions in a system folder. If you wish to do it regardless, here is the administrator's way:

    1. Log on under an admin account.
    2. Create a desktop shortcut for cmd.exe.
    3. Right-click this shortcut, then left-click "Run as administrator".
    4. Accept the challenge.
    5. Type these commands and press Enter after each:

    takeown  /f  "C:\Program Files\Adobe"  /r

    cacls  "C:\Program Files\Adobe"  /t  /c  /g  everyone:R  system:F

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-12-26T20:01:22+00:00

    Apologies for the delayed response, but thank you very much, that worked. 

    It was really odd - these issues popped up with the last update from win10 v.1703 to 1709.  

    I also noticed that the last update (which I rolled back) seemed to re-install a lot of my programs - or at least, that's what it looked like when looking at the programs list when I tried to uninstall and re-install a couple that were having issue.  I'm thinking I may have interrupted the last update in process- the laptop hung on a dark screen with no message, and I rebooted, then the update message showed.  I've since turned on full notification so hopefully I'll have more knowledge of when, if not control (home not pro version).

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-12-18T07:26:37+00:00

    c:\Program Files\Adobe

    I'm trying to open the Adobe folder.

    Or:

    C:\Program Files\Nvidia Corporation

    Gets the same error, both before and after the roll back.  I was trying to check install/drivers.  

    It might be a while for the next reply. Just about time to sleep here.

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  5. Anonymous
    2017-12-18T06:58:37+00:00

    Please post the full name & path of such a problem folder.

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