Resetting security settins on a hard drive

[ratsa]

I've messed up the security settings on one of my drives such that I can't encrypt any file or folder on that drive.

I get a message saying "you will need to provide administrator permission". This is even though I am the administrator and I have ownership and control of the drive and the folders and files on it. Weird, right?

Is there any way to reset the permission on a drive short of formatting it?

 

[mightymaxio]

Try taking ownership of the drive or folder under properties>>security>>advanced>>owner>>edit click on your name and click apply.

 

[ratsa]

I already have ownership of the drive and all of the folders and files on it. That's what's weird.

I don't know if it's related, but I can't grant myself "special permissions".

 

[mightymaxio]

Try seeing if your account is in the local administrators group in computer management.

 

[ratsa]

Try seeing if your account is in the local administrators group in computer management.

It's in the Administrators Group under Computer Management (Local)--System Tools--Local Users and Groups--Groups.

 

[mightymaxio]

Do you by chance have UAC turned off?

 

[ratsa]

Do you by chance have UAC turned off?

No, UAC is turned on.

 

[ratsa]

Couldn't figure it out so I reformatted the hard drive. I wish there were a logical guide out there that explains file security settings.