XP Home folder permission

Question

I am trying to install some software, but get the message it can't get permission to access a file in the windows\fonts folder.  I've tried all the file sharing tricks I can find, and the Help in WinXP - Home only addresses the problem in XP Pro.  I have XP Pro, but the computer only came with Home, which I reallly dislike.  Anyway, I want to avoid wiping the computer and starting all over, and my XP Pro from my previous computer is the full version rather than an upgrade.  How can I change folder permissions?  I am the administrator, and the only user account on the computer.  I've tried putting in a new administrator and deleting me, but it doesn't fix the installation problem.

dunedin · Answer

Hello keithsnyder :smileyhappy:

You need to do it from Safe Mode for XP Home.

Boot into Safe Mode
Take ownership of the folder by right clicking it and selecting Properties. Select the Security Tab and click the Advanced button. You'll see an Owner tab so add your User Name to the list

You need to be using an Admin Account to do it.

To apply to subfolders check the box "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects" before you click “Apply”

JRosenfeld · Answer

For future use, you can get the security tab to show in normal mode in XP Home, by using   http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_home_sectab.htm   I've found that works well and is easier than going into safe mode. (XP home SP2 all updates).

keithsnyder · Answer

The file says I need NT serivce pack 4.  Does that apply to WinXP Home?

JRosenfeld · Answer

No, for XP Home, you don't need NT SP4, just the file SCESP4I.exe (use the second link in Dougknox link). (for clarity, name in lower case is scesp4i.exe)   The file SCESP4I.exe is really meant for Windows NT, hence the reference to NT4 SP4 in the readme. However, the readme is not really relevant for XP home. In XP home you just get the security tab on folders and files in normal mode. You don't get the security configuration MMC snapin (mssce.exe) mentioned in the readme, that is only for NT4.   As per instructions on the Dougknox page, extract the contents of SCESP4I.exe to a suitable folder, right click on setup.inf, click install (note: there are two other inf files, make sure you use the correct one). Restart your PC. Create a restore point before installing to make sure you can get back if there is a problem (I didn't have any, I installed pre SP2 and it continued to work fine post SP2).   Warning: the only way to uninstall (other than restore point) would be to manually delete the reg keys and files that the install puts on your system (these are shown in the .inf files). But I don't think you'd want to uninstall it anyway. Message Edited by JRosenfeld on 07-04-200604:47 PM

keithsnyder · Answer

Thanks so much!  I missed the part about 'click Install' before, so when I opened it, I got a text file.  It took a bit of playing with, but I finally got it to let me install the software.  I can also apply the info for some problematic folders on my hard drive.  I wonder why I get this 'permission' problem in the first place...

Windows General

XP Home folder permission

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