Can't modify any files or folders

sooty1892 · Apr 8, 2009

Hi
I can't modify any files or folders anywhere on my computer. For example, if I create a new folder on my desktop, when I try to rename it the name still stays at 'New Folder' which I can't get rid of. Also I can't encrypt any files or folders.
I am the administrator of the computer and there is no other users.
I have tried taking full control of the files/folders on the security tab on properties and also using software like 'Unlocker' but nothing seems to work.
Any help would be very much appreciated.
Ashley

rive0108 · Apr 8, 2009

Apparently you Have User corruption. Your Admin:User account is no longer recognized as having priviledges. try a System restore to a point before the corruption occured (usually through User error/Malware/reg cleaner use)

You can also verify if this is the case with the Admin:User by running/attempting to run the built in Admin Account:http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67567-administrator-account.html

sooty1892 · Apr 8, 2009

Is there any other option because I don't have any files to restore the computer from?

Jerin · Apr 8, 2009

Hi sooty,
When you are taking the ownership of the folder are you taking the ownership as the administrator. Try to use the Advance tab on the seurity tab and try to take the ownership from there...
To be simple check weather the Folder is a Ready only file.

sooty1892 · Apr 8, 2009

Thanks for your reply Jerin
I have tried to take ownership as the administrator and I have used the advanced tab but it still doesn't solve the problem.

rive0108 · Apr 8, 2009

sooty1892 said:
Is there any other option because I don't have any files to restore the computer from?

Did you delete your restore points? (If not, you can restore Vista with this disk:http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/141820-create-recovery-disc.html)

Walkthrough:http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/194765-system-recovery-options.html

If you have corrupted the User account, and cannot restore to a point before the corruption occured, and taking Ownership fails, you have two choices:

Either attempt a Repair:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

Perform a re-install:

From Disk-
Place disk in drive, restart, hit any key to boot from disk, Choose "Install", at partitions screen format/delete current Vista partition, install Vista.

From Recovery Partition-
restart, at boot screen you will see option to boot into Recovery (i.e., F10), boot into Recovery, and follow promps to re-install Vista

rive0108 · Apr 8, 2009

If you are concerned about the posibility of data loss, and are unable to use Vista's file backup Utility, then Here is a method to allow you to recover your data.

Use this free partitioner, to create a new partition (say 10GB in size for a dual boot), reinstall Vista into it, boot into this Vista install and copy your Users Folder to a backup device, then simply perform a re-install, and delete the new partitions.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/163304-dual-boot-using-free-partitioning-software.html

rive0108 · Apr 8, 2009

sooty1892 said:
Is there any other option because I don't have any files to restore the computer from?

I suggest that if you are sucessful in restoring Vista, or In the event you need to re-install by using another borrowed Vista disk-Ultimate contains all versions, and will, after you enter your key, install your version, that you create your own Vista disk.

This is an exact Image of your hard drive, and uses a bootable disk to re-install. Similiar to OEM recovery disks issued out with some computers.

Free Drive Backup Express - disk backup software

If you also perform Weekly file backups with the Vista Backup utility, this will enable you to re-install Vista, and all User files/emails, etc, to what it was at the last file backup. This is especially convienent as it takes but a fraction of the time that it would take to re-install vista and all your programs, and setting preferences from scratch. It is also useful for hard drive upgrades.

sooty1892 · Apr 8, 2009

rive0108 said:
Apparently you Have User corruption. Your Admin:User account is no longer recognized as having priviledges. try a System restore to a point before the corruption occured (usually through User error/Malware/reg cleaner use)

You can also verify if this is the case with the Admin:User by running/attempting to run the built in Admin Account:http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67567-administrator-account.html

I don't no what this means but I have just tried to log in with the Admin:User and I can modify the files/folders.
Does this mean that there is something wrong with my user account?

rive0108 · Apr 8, 2009

sooty1892 said:
rive0108 said:

Apparently you Have User corruption. Your Admin:User account is no longer recognized as having priviledges. try a System restore to a point before the corruption occured (usually through User error/Malware/reg cleaner use)

You can also verify if this is the case with the Admin:User by running/attempting to run the built in Admin Account:http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67567-administrator-account.html

Click to expand...

I don't no what this means but I have just tried to log in with the Admin:User and I can modify the files/folders.
Does this mean that there is something wrong with my user account?

yes.

If you can modify under the Admin, but lack that ability under your User Admin, it means you probably messed it up somehow. Its good though you have access.

This is what I would do:
backup the Users folder. !!!Warning!!!! this is very important, Once you delete the old User acct you will lose all the User data in it.
disable the built in Admin, and boot into the new Admin User. make sure it works. you can then use the new account to delete/remove the corrupted one.

sooty1892 · Apr 8, 2009

rive0108 said:
sooty1892 said:

rive0108 said:

Apparently you Have User corruption. Your Admin:User account is no longer recognized as having priviledges. try a System restore to a point before the corruption occured (usually through User error/Malware/reg cleaner use)

You can also verify if this is the case with the Admin:User by running/attempting to run the built in Admin Account:http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67567-administrator-account.html

Click to expand...

I don't no what this means but I have just tried to log in with the Admin:User and I can modify the files/folders.
Does this mean that there is something wrong with my user account?

Click to expand...

yes.

If you can modify under the Admin, but lack that ability under your User Admin, it means you probably messed it up somehow. Its good though you have access.

This is what I would do:
backup the Users folder. !!!Warning!!!! this is very important, Once you delete the old User acct you will lose all the User data in it.
disable the built in Admin, and boot into the new Admin User. make sure it works. you can then use the new account to delete/remove the corrupted one.

Hey rive0108
Please can you explain in more detail what to do because I don't fully understand what is required?
Also doing this won't lose any of my installed programs will it?
Thanks for all of your help.

rive0108 · Apr 8, 2009

Any programs that are User specific may need re-installation (I assume most are for all Users) You will not lose anything, because you will have two (2) admin User accts, when you are confident all is well with the new acct, you then, and only then delete the old corrupted User.

Log into The hidden "admin" acct.

then start>Control Panel> User Accounts.
Add another Admin User.

The go to your Windows drive (c: drive),click it and open. you will see a folder called "Users", click that inside you will see a folder with the name of your corrupted User Account. Copy/paste that to a thumbdrive/externall drive/dvd (this is your backup)

then log out and sign into the new Admin Acct, If all is well, disable the hidden admin acct (see tutorial I linked for enabling/disabling)
delete/remove your old corrupted User account. (be sure to unencrypt any encrypted files prior to backing up the User folder)

then copy the contents you want back into the new User folder.
note- there are hidden files. enable viewing of the hidden folder/files before backup.

In the hidden admin, go to User folder and click:

Organize>Folder and search options>View>click "show hidden files and folders">click "apply" (repeat this process when all is back to normal, and click "do not show hidden files and folders"> apply

sooty1892 · Apr 8, 2009

I've got it working. Making a new account fixed the problem.
Thanks for all of your help.
It's very much appreciated.

Can't modify any files or folders

Ashley

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