Unable to access HDD after reformat

[emmanuelxian07]

To cut the long story short, my computer broke down and to fix it, I replaced my RAM, processor (I dropped it while remounting), and reformatted my OS.

I have a separate HDD where I keep most of my important files. Before the issue started, I remember restricting access to that hard drive only to the Windows user profile I was using then. It worked fine, but now I can't access my files after reformatting.
Error:
"Z:\ is not accessible.

Access is denied."

I am using the same Windows username and password that I had before, but didn't help at all.

I didn't use any custom program to lock it. I only used the "Sharing" option in Windows.

I don't want to reformat the drive, and I want to retrieve all my files. Is there a way I can unlock it or at least get my files out then reformat?

 

[SkyNetRising]

That is issue of permissions.
Each user has user id associated with. If you delete the user and recreate (even with same name) user id changes.
To get access to your old files, take ownership of z: partition and assign access rights for your current user.

I hope you didn't encrypt your files with old user account. If so, then your files are lost unfortunately.

 

[emmanuelxian07]

That is issue of permissions.
Each user has user id associated with. If you delete the user and recreate (even with same name) user id changes.
To get access to your old files, take ownership of z: partition and assign access rights for your current user.

I hope you didn't encrypt your files with old user account. If so, then your files are lost unfortunately.

When you said "take ownership", I went into the security tab and added myself and now I have access to it. I love you man! Can't thank you enough for that.