C:\Program Files Access Denied

Question

I get this error message when I try to open the Program Files folder in Explorer (OS is XP). I first noticed this a couple of months ago after trying to install a driver on my admin account. I got a similar message when trying to install the driver. Same when I tried to install Firefox. This seems to be the case for all the accounts except for one - my wife's. When I logged on to my wife's account I could install software but I still couldn't access from the other accounts. I was able to install service pack 3 but that didn't fix the problem. Anybody had anything similar happen?

Bay Wolf · Answer

Try this.   Use your wife's account to change your account type to Guest.   Then change it back to have admin priviledges.  See if that helps.

Oldxpmachine · Answer

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried it but with no success. I should mention I'm using Norton Security Online (provided by ATT DSL). I also downloaded and ran a Microsoft utility 'Subinacl' to reset the registry and file permissions.

Oldxpmachine · Answer

Nothing I tried has given me access to the program files folder so I've decided on a workaround. I'm going to install any new software in a different folder.

Larry R · Answer

Have you checked the security tab for the directory (from whichever account has access) to see what permissions it has set?

Oldxpmachine · Answer

When I go to explorer or my computer and right click on the Program Files folder and check Properties, the only tabs I see are general and sharing. Should I drag the Program Files folder to the Shared Folders icon as windows suggests?

Windows General

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