Have you ever reinstalled Windows XP only to have it complain about ownership of a certain folder, giving you an access denied error when trying to open a user’s directory? Ownership of folders is important so other users cannot access your folder unless they have proper administrative rights. This is done by default by the operating system in an effort to keep individual user data safe.

Luckily, reclaiming ownership of the folder is an easy task. First thing to do is reboot the computer and load the operating system in "Safe Mode". Do this by pressing the F8 key as the computer boots and select "safe mode" from the pre-boot menu screen. In safe mode, login with a user account that has administrative privileges and go to the location of the folder in question.

Right click on it and select "Properties", click the "Security" tab and find the "Advanced" button. Click on the "Owner" tab. Find your name or account name then click the "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects", click the "OK" button then "Yes". After that’s done reboot the computer and load Windows XP normally. The user in question will now have access to that folder once again.

Have you ever reinstalled Windows XP only to have it complain about ownership of a certain folder, giving you an access denied error when trying to open a user’s directory? Ownership of folders is important so other users cannot access your folder unless they have proper administrative rights. This is done by default by the operating system in an effort to keep individual user data safe.

Luckily, reclaiming ownership of the folder is an easy task. First thing to do is reboot the computer and load the operating system in “Safe Mode“. Do this by pressing the F8 key as the computer boots and select “safe mode” from the pre-boot menu screen. In safe mode, login with a user account that has administrative privileges and go to the location of the folder in question. Right click on it and select “Properties“, click the “Security” tab and find the “Advanced” button. Click on the “Owner” tab. Find your name or account name then click the “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects“, click the “OK” button then “Yes“. After that’s done reboot the computer and load Windows XP normally. The user in question will now have access to that folder once again.