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How Repair Files and Folders Security Properties No Longer Accessible

Sheilah Say 20 Reputation points
2025-07-10T04:46:16.3733333+00:00

Could anyone help me please.

Trying to change permissions to delete a file I inadvertently lost access to a lot of the folders, files and access.

Is there someone that knows how to change these back?

Sheilah

properties1

properties2

not available

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage
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Ramesh Srinivasan 81,185 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-07-10T05:31:40.8133333+00:00

Hi Sheilah,

You can take ownership of the folder recursively and assign the necessary permissions. This can be accomplished using the 'takeown' and 'icacls' commands.

To make things easier, run the following REG file, which adds the "Take Ownership" command to the right-click menu.

take_ownership_context_menu.zip

Source: https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/take-ownership-via-right-click-context-menu-add/

Once added, press the Shift key, right-click on the inaccessible file or folder, and choose "Take ownership" from the context menu.

See if that resolves the issue.

Standard Disclaimer: There is a link to a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to provide accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Products).

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  1. Sheilah Say 20 Reputation points
    2025-07-16T09:14:59.4966667+00:00

    I did manage to take ownership of most of the folders. I say most of the folders because I'm still going through them.

    When the program was running there were some errors.

    error fatal device hardware error 1error fatal device hardware error 2error fatal device hardware error 3 Still, the folders take a minute before I have access.

    Then when gaining access I have to wait up to 5 minutes while the folder finishes loading.

    If I click on a file when the folder is loading files or whatever is in the folder.

    The green bar will freeze and taking extra time before the green bar continues its slow pace loading the folder.

    Sheilah

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  2. Ramesh Srinivasan 81,185 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-07-12T01:32:54.5733333+00:00

    Please download the following zip file, unzip and run the enclosed REG file. It adds the "Take Ownership" command to the right-click menu.

    take_ownership_context_menu.zip

    Once added, press the Shift key, right-click on the inaccessible file or folder, and choose "Take ownership" from the context menu.

    Standard Disclaimer: There is a link to a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to provide accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Products).

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  3. Ramesh Srinivasan 81,185 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-07-11T00:58:12.3966667+00:00

    Hi,

    Have you applied the REG file to add the "Take Ownership" command to the right-click menu? Please clarify.

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  4. Sheilah Say 20 Reputation points
    2025-07-10T19:40:48.4033333+00:00

    I followed the instruction and this is what came up.

    cp

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