On new clean install, admin account getting access denied to libraries


  1. Posts : 4,187
    Windows 11 Pro, 24H2
       #1

    On new clean install, admin account getting access denied to libraries


    Please forgive me if I am missing something obvious here. I'm going to claim ignorance based upon the fact that I NEVER run the Home edition of Windows. I'm always running Pro. That's my excuse, and I'm sticking with it .

    So here is the situation...

    A friend of a friend had his computer crash. Someone helped him get a new clean install of Windows 10 Home (32-bit) 22H2 installed on the system. My friend and I got on a Quick Assist session with him to help him get a number of things setup. We have his computer almost back to full functionality but there is one odd issue that we can't seem to figure out.

    His user account is an admin level account and a Microsoft user account. We can get into the documents folder just fine and the rest of the HD is completely accessible, with the exception of the libraries such as videos, pictures, etc. If we try to access those, we get an access is denied error.

    Before we monkey with the permissions, I'm just curious to know if anyone knows why on a brand new, clean install, a user with an admin account would not be able to access these libraries right out of the box.

    As I noted at the outset, I always use Pro and have never run into this. Is there something specific to the Home edition that might account for this odd behavior?

    NOTE: We have already absolutely confirmed that he is an admin.
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 8,517
    windows 10
       #2

    If the folder is from another user or system you wont have access as it will be owned by the SID of the other does it show on properties an owner with lots of letters or numbers? Use are take ownership tool to take ownership of the folder
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 24,896
    Win 10 Home ♦♦♦19045.5487 (x64) [22H2]
       #3

    @hsehestedt

    It has nothing to do with Win 10 Home x64 22H2... normally.
    I only have a local account, though.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 33,889
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #4

    hsehestedt said:
    ...We can get into the documents folder just fine and the rest of the HD is completely accessible, with the exception of the libraries such as videos, pictures, etc. If we try to access those, we get an access is denied error.
    Before we monkey with the permissions, I'm just curious to know if anyone knows why on a brand new, clean install, a user with an admin account would not be able to access these libraries right out of the box.
    Are you sure you're not talking about 'My Videos', 'My Pictures' etc. These are not libraries or folders, they are junctions. These provide compatibility for legacy software that's expecting to find XP's old folder names, but you'll get 'Access denied' if you try to open them yourself. This is normal behaviour.

    On new clean install, admin account getting access denied to libraries-image.png
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 4,187
    Windows 11 Pro, 24H2
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Bree, thank you! You are spot on, as usual. I was mixing up the libraries and the junctions. Normally I never see those junctions, but he had File Explorer set to show hidden OS files, revealing the junctions.

    Thanks for clear explanation.
      My Computers


 

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