Windows 10: How can I reset all user permissions to default for Windows 10?

I made a bad mistake and I removed both permissions for the SYSTEM and for administrators on my local disk c drive. How can I reset all the user permissions to default?

:)

 

Reset Windows 10 file permissions to default

Hi,

Welcome to Microsoft Community and thank you for your interest in Windows 10.

• Are you receiving any error message while accessing any files?

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

Method 1: Startup troubleshooter.

• Open the Task manager. Here’s a tip: Press CTRL+Shift+ESC.
  
• Click File > Run New Task
• Make sure you have a check mark beside “Create this task with administrative privileges”
• Type Powershell
• Type the following in the Powershell prompt:

$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + '\AppxManifest.xml' ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest


6. Close the Powershell window

7. Reboot

Method 2: If you are facing issues accessing files, then I suggest you to follow the below steps and check if it helps.

This may be caused by incorrect permissions on the files.

You can fix this using these steps:

• Open the properties of the main user profile folder where the files are located (such as Documents, Pictures, etc).
  
• Go to the Security tab and click Advanced.
• Check the box at the bottom of this window. It is labeled "Replace all child object permissions with inheritable permissions from this object" and then click Ok

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

 

How do you Restore Windows 10 User Permissions to default?

For Windows 10. I accidentally changed a user permission for my Documents folder. I am the administrator. The Security permission listed is for the homegroup users, but not System, Administrator or User (me). I
can't change the permissions back because it tells me that I do not have access to certain folders. I did not have System Restore enabled. When I try to change the permission in the parent folder it still denies access for the one folder.

Is there any way to reset all permissions to default for this folder?

 

Folder permissions, windows search engine permissions, default permissions.

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

I understand the inconvenience you are facing with the search index.

Provide us additional information to assist you better with this issue:

1. Are you getting any error code/error message while trying to search?
   
2. May I know the error code or error message that you’re receiving when you try to install the software?
   
3. Which version of Windows is installed on your device?
   

Refer the article ‘Which version of Windows operating system am I running’
to provide the details.

I suggest you to follow the methods mentioned below to fix the issue with the search index.

Method 1

Check if the Windows Search service is running

1. Open the run command (Windows + R key) and type in
   services.msc.
   
2. Scroll down and look for Windows Search from the list.
   
3. Click on Windows Search entry. In the Status column (see above picture), you will see Running if the service is running. Ensure that the Startup type is Automatic or Automatic (delayed) by checking the Startup type column.
   

Method 2

Rebuild Search Index

1. Click on Start, type in Indexing Options and press
   Enter.
   
2. Once the Indexing Options is launched, click the ‘Advanced’ button to open
   Advanced Options.
   
3. Click on Rebuild button under ‘Troubleshooting’ section.
   
4. Click on OK button and Windows 10 will start rebuilding the search index. It might take time to complete the process.
   
5. Restart the computer and check the status of the issue.
   

In regards to your query about SYSTEM permissions, it is not recommended to assign full control to SYSTEM under permissions. However, the default permissions for the Desktop folder are 'System', 'User of that particular account'
and the 'Administrator'.

Refer the steps mentioned below to configure User permissions for Files and Folders.

1. Right click on the specific folder you wish to modify and select
   Properties.
   
2. Click on Security tab to view all the names of the users or group along with their list of permissions.
   
3. Click on Edit button.
   
4. Choose the account for which you want to make any changes under the
   Group or user names segment.
   
5. Allow and Deny are the two options available under
   Permissions for Authenticated Users.
   
6. Give permissions for each operation by choosing the access or deny checkboxes.
   
7. Click on Apply and OK.
   

Method 3

If you wish to return the system to using its default permissions, I would suggest you to create a new user account, transfer all the required data to the new account and check if it works for you. This is because creating
the new user account will create that account with the default permissions.

Refer the article Create a local user or administrator account
in Windows 10 for the steps.

Note: You will not see all your files under your default file location. So your data will be saved under C:\users\user_name.

Regards,

Muralidhar

Microsoft Community Moderator