Windows 10: Cannot open some files on USB drive. Need to change permissions.

When we found out we were getting a new computer I saved some folders that were on my desktop to my USB drive. Now on my new computer I can not open the files in the folders. The folders open but not the files. Some say I don't have permission and others say they might be encrypted. I can't change the permissions on the files because I cannot get the security tab under properties on this USB drive. How can I change the permissions to try to open these files? The old computer was Windows 10 and the new one is Windows 11pro. All my other files that are on the USB drive open just fine.

:)

 

Can't open files on USB without changing drive letter

Thank you for providing us the screenshot. Permissions are rules that determine whether you can access or change files and folders. You have to make sure that
you are logged on as an administrator to change permissions on files and folders. Let us perform again the steps below:

• Right-click the file or folder, and then click Properties.
• Click the Security tab.
• Under Group or user names, click your name to see the permissions that you have.
• Click Edit, click your name, select the check boxes for the permissions that you must have, and then click
  OK.

We also suggest that you check whether the USB flash drive is shown in the File explorer and try to open the files from there.

Keep us updated with the result.

Thank you.

 

Unable to open files on FAT32 Drives (Do not have permission)

Hi Chad,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft community.

Sorry for the inconvenience caused to you. I’ll certainly help you with this.

I would like to let you know that Windows 10 doesn't support FAT32 formatted drives. I suggest you to take the back up of the files and format the drive in NTFS format. To do so, follow these steps:

• 
  Connect the USB drive to the computer and right click on it.
  
• 
  Select format and set the file system to
  NTFS(default).
  
• 
  Select click on Start to format the USB drive.
  
• 
  Now, transfer the files to the drive and check if you are able to open the files.
  

Hope this will help you. Keep us posted with the status of the issue to assist you further.

Thank you.

 

USB Drive Access Permission

Let's try a different approach. Since the updating the driver does not work, see if changing the Security settings on one of the USB drive. Follow the steps below:

• Right-click the USB's drive on File Explorer and select Properties.
• Click the Security tab.
• Select an Owner/User and click Edit.
  
• Check all the options on the Allowed column, select OK and then Apply.

Update us on the result.