How to remove access to the C:\ProgramData folder?

Question

I was trying to bind my medial play/pause button to spotify by changing .mp3 and .cda files to open with Spotify by default. But since Spotify came with the laptop, I had to find spotify by unlocking access to the 'ProgramData' file. I was unsuccessful, but now I can't open some old files up. I think the directory was messed up and I really want to undo the permission I gave myself but not sure how to. Not sure wat the original setting is supposed to look like. I followed this link for reference. No video guide so no way to showcase the original settings. https://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-10/how-to-access-the-windowsapps-folder-in-windows-10/

At a glance on some forums, Creator Owner should have NONE access, but even when I try to take off some permissions, it won't allow me to save it.

Edit: Please help ASAP, for some reason apart from ahk not working (can't edit script) all other text editors come up with the error shown below: "The parameter is incorrect", memory and CPU usage is much higher now. I think I will need to factory reset my laptop if I can't get an answer.

Answer 1

Hello, I'm Greg, here to help you with this.

Was anything else done, because just changing the ownership on the folder should not cause those problems.

1. See if you can System Restore to a point before this started. System Restore is a time machine that takes you back to a point where Windows was working correctly: https://beebom.com/how-system-restore-windows-11/

System Restore is your first line of defense if Windows ever malfunctions as it can run (even from WinRE Repair Mode or recovery media) to get you back before a problem started like a time machine. It should always be turned on C drive with as much disk space as you can afford (5-15%) configured

2. If that doesn't help then Go over Windows 11 with this Performance Checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and to find and fix problems:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

3. If nothing else helps then as a last resort you can also restore the default permissions on Windows 11 Program Data folder as shown here:

https://windowsreport.com/reset-permissions-win...

(Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially DO NOT INSTALL Restoro, PC Repair Tool and Reimage ads)

Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back, I will have other suggestions if necessary.

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Answer 2

Hi, I followed your steps and the 3rd link I used, specifically the SubInAcl fixed my Disc Space from 95% > 1%, CPU gone 80% > 25% with no apps running. Huge thanks, although I am not sure what Disk Space actually does and why it was so high. All my apps are opening again, such as notepad, text document and other documents. But I still haven't been able to remove access to the C:\ProgramData folder. So computer working fine, but would just like to wrap it up by fixing access to the file. It's not as urgent anymore since the immediate problems are fixed, but do you know how I could fix the access?

I have followed the ss below, but does not fix perms:

Answer 3

What is the remaining problem with Program Data folder permissions? If it's resolved the high Disk and CPU usage then I would not do any more than the tutorial specifies to restore the permissions to default. There may be other apps that have modified them and you'll need to reinstall those.