So I have a 1TB drive connected to my computer which I use for all my personal data. I do not use the standard Windows Users directory for my data, I just put all my pics, music, vids, etc all on this 1TB drive. Well all the sudden all its permissions have been destroyed. It changed from having real permissions to listing groups and users with names like (S-901-232-###). So I did this: - right clicked drive - security tab - advanced -> Owner -> (checked the subfolders box) -> changed to Administrators (my account is the only user account and an admin, verified) - verified the permissions were all set properly (admins and my user account is listed with full control checked). Well still more than half the folders on this drive have the lock symbol beside them. Some of the locked files I can read, some I cannot. I cannot even copy the damn files off the drive. It says "This action will require permissions from Administrators" but Windows never asks (no UAC comes up). I even tried making the owner my user account, same things happen. It is like it knows I am the owner, lets me adjust permissions, but the permissions do not take. How do I go about resetting these permissions? I want my user account to be able to read, write, modify the entire drive. This drive has 100,000+ files in a million folders. I am computer scientist so I will be easy to help. Sadly this is also why I am so frustrated because I cannot solve this. You know I love Windows but right now Linux chmod ### * -R would solve this... *pulling hair*

Read here, see if it helps: File Permission Problems after recoveryRich

Alright I tried that. It all worked, Icacls finished without any failures. When I got to my Music folder for example and try to copy something out of it to a place I know I have write privilege to it says: "You'll need to provide Administrator permissions to copy this file!" So I click "Continue". It looks like it is about to start copying then a message comes up, "You require permission from computerName/UserName to make changes to this file". The only options are Try again, Skip or Cancel. So this did not fix it. I verified the Security panel. It shows I have Full Control... This is totally messed. I am running Windows 7 Professional from MSDNAA.

You may have to do a restore to a point prior to this error occurring. be sure to scan your system for errors (system file checker aka SFC command) as well as for viruses/malware.MCSE, MCSA, MCDST [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

It is clean. Checked for everything just in case. I haven't had a virus or case of spyware in years. I also haven't had Windows cause me any grief in years (since Windows ME). This is quite frustrating as the files show in the security tab all the right permissions but the actual permissions are all wrong apparently. I need a way that will guarantee they will reset...

I have the exact same problem as the OP - this is very frustrating! Any solutions to this?