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Removing Windows Explorer Restrictions to Folders

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Barryng

Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2001
I am finally out of patience with Windows Explorer (W7) because of the inherent access restrictions to many select folders and the impossibility of transferring files to/from the folders of my choice over our home network. I understand why these restrictions exist but I want them completely (globally) eliminated on my machines. There are zero related security issues of any kind in my home and these restrictions significantly and unnecessarily limit functionality. Over time I have had limited success with specific folders using Properties-Security Tab-Edit Group and even the Advanced set of dialogs. Once and for all I want to put an end to this BS.

Recently, while away from home, I fully backed up a computer, using Western Digital SmartWare, onto a WD Passport portable hard drive. I am now home and need to cherry pick a small hand full of Word and excel files out of the "Documents" folder and can't get access to this specific folder because of a dialog that pops up titled "Location is not available" and stating "The media is write protected.". No matter my efforts using Properties -Security etc. I continue to be restricted from it.

Is there a utility that will allow me to, preferably, globally eliminate these restrictions or at worst, easily and reliably eliminate them for specific folders? I know the purpose of the restrictions but I want them totally gone!

It is not my intention to rant but I just traveled over 1100 miles with limited time here at home and I cannot access files I created on my hardware and stored in the "Documents" folder that was backed up on the WD portable hard drive. I have no problem accessing most of what was backed up on the WD portable drive but certain folders are protected and I cannot get to the files inside them (this is NOT a hard drive encryption issue). I think I will be able to gain access by installing the WD SmartWare Utility and using it to restore the specific files but this is an unnecessary time consuming PITA that I should not have to deal with because the folders are easily visible using Windows Explorer.

Any advice with respect to a quick straight forward way of turning off these unwanted protective features would be sincerely appreciated. I am well aware of the risks being taken by doing this but since I own the machines and am 100% accountable for everything on these machines it is my risk alone and I resent the hell out of MS for going so far to protect me against myself.
 
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