W10 Unrecognized C:\Users Folder


  1. Posts : 40
    Windows 10
       #1

    W10 Unrecognized C:\Users Folder


    This is a problem with multiple levels I think, so I'm trying to isolate them one by one...

    I have a backup computer on my network (running latest W10 update), and under C:\Users there is a folder (call it Joe). However, when I run "net user" on the command line it doesn't show "Joe" as a recognized user, nor does Joe show up anywhere as a user account.

    I believe that originally with that computer I started with an account "Joe", but subsequently added a second account (call it Bill), that matches the main admin account on my other networked main computer, and regularly log in to that main account (Bill) on both computers.

    I guess my question is this:

    If "Joe" is a user (since it's listed under C:\Users), then why would it not be also shown as an active or hidden user in any of the W10 user account management stuff?

    And part 2 of this is that I am unable to synchronize my folders across the networked computers because I can't copy files (due to insufficient access rights) to the Joe folder. The only way it works is if I give access to the Joe folders to Everyone, which I don't want to do.

    Thanks for any help.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 31,467
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #2

    ebergerly said:
    If "Joe" is a user (since it's listed under C:\Users), then why would it not be also shown as an active or hidden user in any of the W10 user account management stuff?

    And part 2 of this is that I am unable to synchronize my folders across the networked computers because I can't copy files (due to insufficient access rights) to the Joe folder. The only way it works is if I give access to the Joe folders to Everyone, which I don't want to do.
    Welcome to TenForums @ebergerly

    When you delete a user account from Control Panel > User accounts you have the option to keep their files and folders. (deleting a user from Settings doesn't give you that option). Doing so would have left the Joe folder in Users but deleted Joe from the 'user account management stuff'.

    On the PC with the Joe folder, see if taking ownership of the Joe folder gives you the access you want.

    Change Owner of File, Folder, Drive, or Registry Key in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 8,057
    windows 10
       #3

    Welcome to the forum. The fact it has a name suggests its live if its a delted account you get a load of numbers of the sid. Very often if you rename a user the original name stays as everyting in the registery is set for that folder and cant be simply changed. on permissions for the folded who has rights if its bill then its the new users folder.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 40
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thanks Bree. I think that did it. Wow, I've been using Windows since before it was Windows and never knew there was an "ownership".

    Though one thing I can't quite understand is why you can only set access/permissions/ownership to only users on the same PC, and not on a networked PC. Honestly, in all these decades of using Windows I've never figured out the whole networking/sharing thing. And now they seem to be trying to make it even harder to do what should be so simple, and instead are directing you to use their cloud-based systems.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 8,057
    windows 10
       #5

    You can set people from other pcs etc if its on a domain
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 40
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Thanks, Samuria. But I think the "domain" option isn't available with W10 Home, correct?

    So it sounds like the way to access files on another networked machine is to have identical User Account names (and passwords?) on both machines, and use that named account to "own" any files/folders you want to access on that remote machine. So I guess matching local accounts are used to give remote access. Unless you want to give it to Everyone.

    Maybe another way of looking at it is if you give access/ownership to a user on your local machine, you're effectively saying that you're giving access/ownership to that user no matter what machine they are on, because the user accounts have the same name? Or same name and password?

    Geez, talk about counterintuitive. Why not just allow you to select other machines on the network, and specify which users on that machine can own or access your local folders?

    Anyway, thanks everyone for the help.
      My Computer


 

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