Changing permissions of a folder on a different HDD

[sir_tmas]

Hey there all - hope everybody is doing well! Was just wondering if somebody here could help me solve a little problem I have.

A friends laptop died quite recently, but the HDD in it is still (just about) usable. I've removed the HDD and have it plugged into my computer so I can save some of the more important files from his user folder. I can access the HDD (from my main HDD) fine, but there are a few folders I can't get into - notably the guys 'user' folder.

'You don't currently have permission to access this folder.
Click Continue to permanently get access to this folder.'

I click continue, but nothing happens.

I figured I'd need to change permissions, I've tried right clicking the folder - Properties\Security\Advanced\Continue (warning),

when I get the message

'Can't open access control editor. The activation requires a display name to be present under the CLSID key.'

I've had a Google but couldn't come across much - anybody have any idea on how I can access these files? Thanks for your help!

 

[JobCreator]

Does the old HDD have Windows XP on it?

 

[sir_tmas]

Yes it does 🙂

It's bootable, but has an obscenely long boot time (20+ mins to get it semi-working), and once loaded it's still almost far too sluggish to use. Then there's a plethora of driver issues, + not connecting to the internet to get the drivers e.t.c - I'm aware I can do this via downloading from another OS/transferring it across via usb, but I'm hoping there is a quicker/more elegant solution!

<edit>

It also doesn't recognise any other HDD's from within XP. (They are NTFS)

</edit>

 

[Samat]

You could use the 'takeown' command from command line. Open comman line by pressing 'Windows key + X' and click with mouse on Command Prompt (Admin). You can use the command 'takeown /?' to list all available options. To grant currently logged on user ownership of a folder or drive use the command (replace 'full path of folder or drive' with the folder or drive which you want to take ownership of):

takeown /F "full path of folder or drive" /R /D Y

It will make the active user owner of those files/folders. Warning, running this command on root of the drive with Windows 8 install can make the system not work properly. So make sure you type in the drive and folder correctly.

 

[JobCreator]

I was going to say you can download and install the "Take Ownership" little widget that's out there. It adds an option to the right-click menu for "take ownership" of any file or folder.

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/add-take-ownership-to-explorer-right-click-menu-in-vista/

 

[sir_tmas]

Cheers Job Creator! That worked like a charm!

Thanks for the help also Samat - I tried that but it still didn't work for some reason - it stopped after saying a file was corrupted and then still wouldn't allow me access.

Thanks to all who helped - it's appreciated!
Have a nice day ^_^

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[JobCreator]

Excellent to hear. Glad I could help!