Windows 10: can't take ownership of folders copied on hard drive

Hi,
On my old pc I copied some files on an HDD then removed it and installed it in another PC.
On the new pc I can see the folders and some programs like unlocker allow me to see files in them.
I tried everything from unlocker to registry edits to allow to take ownership more easily, and even prompt commands... but always denied.
I still can't access those folders or any of their content via explorer.

Thanks for the help

:)

 

Can't take ownership of external hard disk

Hi Jenil,

Welcome to the Microsoft community.

In order to assist you better could you please confirm a few things like:

• Have you installed any third party folder lock software on your computer?

I would suggest you to follow methods and check if it helps.

Method 1:

Step 1: Make sure that you are logged in as an administrator.

Step 2: Try to take ownership of the files and check if it helps.

Taking ownership of a folder from explorer

1) Locate the file or folder on which you want to take ownership in windows explorer.

2) Right click on file or folder and select “Properties” from Context Menu.

3) Click on "Security" tab.

4) Click on “Advanced” button.

5) Now click on "Owner" tab in Advanced Security Settings for User windows.

6) Click on Edit Button and select user from given Change Owner to list if user or group is not in given list.

7) Click on other users or groups. Enter name of user/group and click ok.

8) Now select User/group and click apply and ok. Check “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects” if you have files and folder within selected folder.

9) Click ok when Windows Security Prompt is displayed.

10) Now Owner name must have changed.

11) Now click Ok to exist from Properties windows.

Once you have taken the ownership of file or folder next part comes is granting permissions to that file/folder or object.

If the above method doesn’t work, you could try taking ownership from the command line.

Or Taking ownership of a file or folder from command line

Open an elevated Command Prompt window.

To do so:

a. press windows + X.

b. Select Command Prompt as Administrator.

c. Type the following command and press ENTER:

takeown /f <foldername> /r /d y

d. To assign the Administrators group Full Control Permissions for the folder, use this syntax:

icacls <foldername> /grant administrators:F /T

The /T parameter is added so that the operation is carried out through all the sub-directories and files within that folder.

e. To know more information about the above commands, run these commands from a Command Prompt window.

takeown /?

icacls /?

Once you take ownership, you can grant permissions on those files or folders.

Method 2:

Try the steps in the following Microsoft article.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/improve-performance-optimizing-hard-drive

Chkdsk disclaimer.

Important: While performing chkdsk on the hard drive if any bad sectors are found on the hard drive when chkdsk tries to repair that sector if any data available on that might be lost.

Hope this information was helpful and do let us know if you need further assistance. WE will be glad to assist.

 

i need help copying and pasting inside windows 10 app folders and subfolders

• Can you give us the specific locations you are copying from and to?
• Can you take screenshots of what's going on?
• Can you take screenshots of the ownership of the directory you're experiencing issues with?

If you're not comfortable sharing that information, I do understand...but I feel like what was suggested before should've resolved it. Have you tried modifying ownership at the hard drive level? Did you log off/log on or reboot after changing ownership permissions?

Possibly check Event Viewer security and system logs as well, might be something else...but likely you are getting closer to resolving this just don't have all the permissions adjusted accordingly. But maybe more specific details about your issue, where things are located that you're having issues with, etc. will assist us better in telling you what needs to be done to accomplish what you're seeking to resolve.

*Toast :toast:

 

Moving Librariy files and folders to secondary hard drive

Hi Bailey,

We appreciate you for being part of Windows 10.

Yes, as you said you will face problems if you cut and paste the library folders to the new hard drive. If you cut and paste the libraries folder some of the Windows functions such as Downloads, Music, Pictures and Videos
will not work properly

If you want to access the library folders in the new hard drive, I suggest you to copy the Library folders (Documents, Music, Pictures and Videos). Follow the steps to copy the library folders.

• 
  Press Windows + E keys on the keyboard to open Windows explorer.
  
• 
  Find the Libraries on the left navigation pane of the Windows Explorer. (If libraries are not there, click on
  View tab at the top of Windows explorer, click on Navigation pane and select the
  Show Libraries)
  
• 
  Now, right click on Libraries from the left navigation pane and click on
  Copy.
  
• 
  Open the new hard drive and paste the Libraries folder by pressing
  CTRL + V key on the keyboard. (paste the libraries folders on the new hard drive where ever you want)
  

As you have less space on the primary hard drive, I suggest you to follow the below article to free up drive space.

Free up drive space in Windows 10

Free up drive space in Windows 10

I hope the above information helps. Kindly let us know if you need any further assistance with Windows. We are glad to assist you.

Thank you.