Learn how to change file and folder permissions in Windows 10 with this step-by-step guide. Take control of your system and secure your data today! Are you struggling to change file and folder permissions in Windows 10? If so, you’re not alone. Many users find this task to be challenging, but with the right guidance, it can be a straightforward process. In this article, we will walk you through the steps to change file and folder permissions in Windows 10, allowing you to take control of your system and customize access levels for different users.

How to Change File and Folder Permissions in Windows 10

Are you struggling to change file and folder permissions in Windows 10? If so, you’re not alone. Many users find this task to be challenging, but with the right guidance, it can be a straightforward process. In this article, we will walk you through the steps to change file and folder permissions in Windows 10, allowing you to take control of your system and customize access levels for different users.

Understanding File and Folder Permissions

Before we dive into the how-to section, let’s first understand what file and folder permissions are. In Windows 10, file and folder permissions determine who can access, modify, or delete specific files or folders on your computer. By changing these permissions, you can restrict or grant access to certain resources, ensuring that your data remains secure.

Changing Permissions for a File or Folder

To change permissions for a file or folder in Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the file or folder you want to change permissions for.
2. Select “Properties” from the context menu.
3. In the Properties window, navigate to the “Security” tab.
4. Click on the “Edit” button.
5. Select the user or group you want to change permissions for.
6. Check or uncheck the boxes under “Allow” to grant or restrict specific permissions.
7. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your changes.
   By following these steps, you can easily tailor the permissions for any file or folder on your Windows 10 system, ensuring that only authorized users can access or modify them.

Common Permission Levels

When changing file and folder permissions in Windows 10, you will come across different permission levels. Here are the common ones you may encounter:

• Read: Allows users to view the file or folder’s contents.
• Write: Allows users to make changes to the file or folder.
• Execute: Allows users to run the file as an executable program.
• Full Control: Grants users all permissions, including the ability to modify, delete, and execute the file or folder.

Troubleshooting Permissions Issues

If you encounter any issues while changing file and folder permissions in Windows 10, here are some troubleshooting tips:

1. Check if you have the necessary administrative privileges to change permissions.
2. Ensure that the file or folder is not open in another program.
3. Restart your computer and try changing permissions again.
4. Use the “icacls” command in Command Prompt to reset permissions if needed.
   By following these troubleshooting tips, you can address any permissions issues and successfully change file and folder permissions in Windows 10.

Change permissions for a network shared folder

If what we need is to change the access permissions to a network shared folder so that other users can also access it, see its content or even modify it, then we will have to follow the steps shown below:

• From the computer that shared this folder, we right-click on it and access its Properties.
• We select the Share tab.
• Click on the Share button .

• In the Network Access window, we display the box tab to search for users and select the option Create a new user.

• This will open a Control Panel window where we have to click on the option Manage another account.
• In the next step we click on Add a new user in Settings .
• Next we select the option Add another person to this team in the system configuration page.
• We indicate the username of the other computer to which we want to give permissions to access that folder and once created, we return to the Share window .
• We display the list of users, choose the one we have just created and click Add .
• Now, we only have to assign the permissions by clicking on Permission level.
• Finally, click on Share.

From that moment, the indicated user will already have access to the shared folder on the network with the permissions on it that we have granted.

Now, if what we want is to allow all users access to that shared folder on the network, then the process is simpler. To do this, the first thing we have to do is enter the Properties of that folder and select the Share tab. Then:

• Click on the Advanced Sharing button .
• On the next screen, click on the Permissions button .
• Within the list of group and user names we select All .
• At the bottom, Everyone’s Permissions section, we select the Allow Full Control box .
• We apply and accept the changes of all open windows and that’s it.

Once this is done, all users will have access to the network shared folder and the assigned permissions to be able to view, read or change its content without any problem.

Permission control from the command prompt

Although as we have seen from the interface and options offered by Microsoft’s own operating system, it is quite easy to change or assign permissions to a folder or file to different users, the truth is that from the command prompt we can also assign or remove certain permissions to system users.

In this case, it requires that we have certain knowledge in the use of the command line and the syntax of the instructions to be used, however, the option should also be mentioned. Specifically, the commands that can help us when managing folder or user permissions are CACLS, ICALCS or TAKEOWN .

To know the syntax and use of each of them we can open a command prompt window write cacls or icacls and press Enter, while for the takeown command we will have to write takeown /? and then hit Enter. As its name suggests, takeown allows us to take possession of an object, while the cacls and icacls commands allow us to manage the permissions on a folder, unit and all the contents stored in them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, changing file and folder permissions in Windows 10 is an essential task for ensuring the security and privacy of your data. By understanding the importance of permissions and following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily customize access levels and control who can interact with your files and folders. Take charge of your system today and empower yourself with the knowledge to change permissions with confidence in Windows 10.