Does existence of Microsoft Account affect "Administrator" group?

SargassumCrab · 3 Weeks Ago

Installed Win 10 Pro. I did not install with a Microsoft account. After installation, I logged into the Microsoft account through "Setttings>Your Info". This was to update the Windows version on the machine with the Microsoft account. I logged out of the Microsoft account, and am using a local account, the same I started with. I only see one account on the machine, the local account. I am a member of "Administrators", and Administrators should have full access.

However, I am being prevented from saving to a folder (Firefox). It says I don't have permission. The Firefox folder "Info" shows that "Administrators" have full permissions - but the checks are greyed out. I cannot take ownership of the folder, I get an error message. "An error occurred, Access denied."

Apparently there is something interfering with the usual permissions. How do I figure out what is causing this, and correct it? I don't get any error codes.

Win 10 Pro 22H2 (19045.4894) Windows Defender. No 3rd party anti-virus.

dalchina · 3 Weeks Ago

Hi, for reference, the second section here gives some info indicating the difference in what you can do with a MS account:
How to Tell if Local Account or Microsoft Account in Windows 10

The huge professional quality searchable Tutorials section is well worth discovering.

I don't understand why you felt you had to use a MS account to use Windows Update.

However, I am being prevented from saving to a folder (Firefox).

Can you be more specific as to which folder?

Screenshots could help someone help you.

Using 'take ownership' is generally not advisable unless you know exactly and precisely the reason and the possible consequences.

You might find this of interest:
Add Take Ownership to Context Menu in Windows 10

SargassumCrab · 1 Week Ago

You might find this of interest:
Add Take Ownership to Context Menu in Windows 10

Thanks. I meant "upgrade" windows, with a new key. I fixed it - sorta. I removed the machine from my Microsoft Account online, and re-installed so all vestiges are gone. It turn out that Windows prevents you from making certain changes to C:\Windows\Program Files. IDK why I was able to do do so before. I believe it will now allow me to make changes, or at least add files, to the folders for programs I installed. After that I guess I gave up, and put portable programs in my User folder. I did look into permissions and and learned a good bit, but it got too deep in the weeds to figure the whole thing out, so I just left it. Thank you.