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Vista - I know I'm the administrator, but....

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Old 10-03-2007   #1 (permalink)
Angelique


 
 

I know I'm the administrator, but....

When I first set up my computer I set myself up as administrator. I don't
remember having any other troubles doing anything, but today I tried to
download a file directly to a folder I created in "Program Files" and I got a
message that said "You need permission from the administrator to do that."

To tell you the truth, I no longer remember how to check to see if I am an
administrator, and from reading some other posts here, it doesn't seem like
that even matters sometimes! What do I do?

My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 10-03-2007   #2 (permalink)
Angelique


 
 

RE: I know I'm the administrator, but....

Update from Angelique:

I just checked, and yes, I'm the sole user and administrator for this
computer.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 10-04-2007   #3 (permalink)
Ronnie Vernon MVP


 
 

Re: I know I'm the administrator, but....

Angelique

A couple of things when using Vista.

Even though you are using an administrator account, you are still running as
a standard user until you intentionally elevate a function to use your full
administrator privileges.

There are areas that are heavily restricted in Vista, due to the new
security model. Areas such as C:\, Program Files, C:\Windows, and certain
parts of the registry are the heavily restricted folders because these areas
affect all users on the computer.

If you want to create new folders and download files, these folders should
be created in your user folder area. Create the folders in C:\Users\your
name\new folder.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"Angelique" <Angelique@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news0ADBD98-F235-4BC8-A8C7-3872DAAC78F8@xxxxxx
Quote:

> Update from Angelique:
>
> I just checked, and yes, I'm the sole user and administrator for this
> computer.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 10-04-2007   #4 (permalink)
Angelique


 
 

Re: I know I'm the administrator, but....

"Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
Quote:

> Angelique
>
> A couple of things when using Vista.
>
> Even though you are using an administrator account, you are still running as
> a standard user until you intentionally elevate a function to use your full
> administrator privileges.
How can I do that?
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 10-04-2007   #5 (permalink)
Chris Game


 
 

Re: I know I'm the administrator, but....

On Thu, 4 Oct 2007 10:34:02 -0700, Angelique wrote:
Quote:

> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
>
Quote:

>> Angelique
>>
>> A couple of things when using Vista.
>>
>> Even though you are using an administrator account, you are
>> still running as a standard user until you intentionally elevate
>> a function to use your full administrator privileges.
>
> How can I do that?
It usually happens automatically when you click one of those 'do you
want to proceed' boxes.

--
Chris Game

"A witty saying proves nothing." -- Voltaire
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 10-04-2007   #6 (permalink)
Ronnie Vernon MVP


 
 

Re: I know I'm the administrator, but....

Angelique

Whenever you start a program or application that requires administrator
privileges, you should see a pop-up dialog box that asks for your permission
to run the program. You must have the User Account Control component enbled
for this to work properly.

This is designed so that you can run as a standard user (more secure) and
still have an easy way to elevate a program that needs your administrator
privileges.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"Angelique" <Angelique@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:658BA655-C92F-4F88-B1A4-7CC55166BA54@xxxxxx
Quote:

> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
>
Quote:

>> Angelique
>>
>> A couple of things when using Vista.
>>
>> Even though you are using an administrator account, you are still running
>> as
>> a standard user until you intentionally elevate a function to use your
>> full
>> administrator privileges.
>
> How can I do that?
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 10-04-2007   #7 (permalink)
Officeboy


 
 

Re: I know I'm the administrator, but....

So, how to access the "SYSTEM" owned files & folders. What is the fastest way
to change the 'Ownership' from "SYSTEM" to 'User'..?


"Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
Quote:

> Angelique
>
> Whenever you start a program or application that requires administrator
> privileges, you should see a pop-up dialog box that asks for your permission
> to run the program. You must have the User Account Control component enbled
> for this to work properly.
>
> This is designed so that you can run as a standard user (more secure) and
> still have an easy way to elevate a program that needs your administrator
> privileges.
>
> --
>
> Ronnie Vernon
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Shell/User
>
>
> "Angelique" <Angelique@xxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:658BA655-C92F-4F88-B1A4-7CC55166BA54@xxxxxx
Quote:

> > "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
> >
Quote:

> >> Angelique
> >>
> >> A couple of things when using Vista.
> >>
> >> Even though you are using an administrator account, you are still running
> >> as
> >> a standard user until you intentionally elevate a function to use your
> >> full
> >> administrator privileges.
> >
> > How can I do that?
>
>
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 10-04-2007   #8 (permalink)
Ciron


 
 

Re: I know I'm the administrator, but....

The fastest way is properties of the file\folder->security->advanced->owner
and then change the owner to your user. You must be using and administrator
to do this. However, like someone already said it, some files\folders are
(virtualy) hightly protect and this method won´t work. One way around, and I
don't know if it is the fastest or not, is to open the comand line, cmd.exe,
and play with de 'takeown' and 'cacls' comands.

I learnd this from this site:
http://www.missingremote.com/index.p...=1220&Itemid=1



"Officeboy" <Officeboy@xxxxxx> escreveu na mensagem
news:A724778F-A727-4B88-AF05-AFD5CCD870E0@xxxxxx
Quote:

> So, how to access the "SYSTEM" owned files & folders. What is the fastest
> way
> to change the 'Ownership' from "SYSTEM" to 'User'..?
>
>
> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
>
Quote:

>> Angelique
>>
>> Whenever you start a program or application that requires administrator
>> privileges, you should see a pop-up dialog box that asks for your
>> permission
>> to run the program. You must have the User Account Control component
>> enbled
>> for this to work properly.
>>
>> This is designed so that you can run as a standard user (more secure) and
>> still have an easy way to elevate a program that needs your administrator
>> privileges.
>>
>> --
>>
>> Ronnie Vernon
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows Shell/User
>>
>>
>> "Angelique" <Angelique@xxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:658BA655-C92F-4F88-B1A4-7CC55166BA54@xxxxxx
Quote:

>> > "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Angelique
>> >>
>> >> A couple of things when using Vista.
>> >>
>> >> Even though you are using an administrator account, you are still
>> >> running
>> >> as
>> >> a standard user until you intentionally elevate a function to use your
>> >> full
>> >> administrator privileges.
>> >
>> > How can I do that?
>>
>>
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 11-11-2007   #9 (permalink)
Donald L McDaniel


 
 

Re: I know I'm the administrator, but....

On Thu, 4 Oct 2007 19:49:01 -0700, Officeboy
<Officeboy@xxxxxx> wrote:
Quote:

>So, how to access the "SYSTEM" owned files & folders. What is the fastest way
>to change the 'Ownership' from "SYSTEM" to 'User'..?
>
>
>"Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
>
Quote:

>> Angelique
>>
>> Whenever you start a program or application that requires administrator
>> privileges, you should see a pop-up dialog box that asks for your permission
>> to run the program. You must have the User Account Control component enbled
>> for this to work properly.
>>
>> This is designed so that you can run as a standard user (more secure) and
>> still have an easy way to elevate a program that needs your administrator
>> privileges.
>>
>> --
>>
>> Ronnie Vernon
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows Shell/User
>>
>>
>> "Angelique" <Angelique@xxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:658BA655-C92F-4F88-B1A4-7CC55166BA54@xxxxxx
Quote:

>> > "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Angelique
>> >>
>> >> A couple of things when using Vista.
>> >>
>> >> Even though you are using an administrator account, you are still running
>> >> as
>> >> a standard user until you intentionally elevate a function to use your
>> >> full
>> >> administrator privileges.
>> >
>> > How can I do that?
>>
>>
Tnere are several ways in which to accomplish what you want.

The fastest way would be to turn off UAC in your Account settings,
then reboot. Most folks behind hardware firewalls or routers are
usually just as safe without it turned on, unless they intentionally
engage in dangerous behavior. However, even with UAC turned off, the
OS will STILL deny you access to some files and folders, such as
Restore folders, etc.

Another way is to install a third-party utility like TweakVi, which
will turn it off for you (temporarily or permanently), or enable you
to bypass elevation demands automatically, while still keeping it
turned on.

But I've found that unless you also turn off the Windows Defender
Service, you will still be faced with elevation demands and denials,
especially if you try to access compatibility links such as "My
Computer", "My Pictures", "My Music", and "My Videos", or attempt to
install software for which WD has no signature. My personal name for
Windows Defender is "Windows Preventor", since it seems to prevent
more than it allows.

To access your user data without denials, just access them through the
alias "C:\Computer\Users\yourusername\suchandsuchfileorfolder".

To access the Programs and Windows folders, take Owner control of
them.

If you are really serious about the whole matter, simply give yourself
Ownership of the entire HD. Make sure your account has FULL CONTROL
w/ SPECIAL PERMISSIONS.

**** NOTE ***
The last suggestion is VERY DANGEROUS, since it passes control over
some system files the System needs control over to the user. I do not
suggest you do it, unless you like to debug your OS installation
continually.

Donald McDaniel
My System SpecsSystem Spec
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