Need help getting Full Control over certain directories

By default everyone except the users group has special permissions regarding the program files folder. This includes the following groups: CREATOR OWNER, SYSTEM, Administrators, and TrustedInstaller.

If you look at the advanced security settings, you will see the the permission entries for the program files folder and a separate entry for subfolders and files. Double click the entry to find what the individual permissions are.

The administrators group has full control over subfolders and files in the program files folder by default.

See attached.

Originally Posted by patcooke

All very true - it's not about "ownership". Running the install program by right clicking and running as administrator should deal with the install problem.

Yup !! I have seen lot of Programs just works fine when you Elevate it. And again please don't change any permission settings to Program Files / Windows folder Good suggestion Pat !!

- Captain

Captain Jack, you have write access to the program files folder by default as i have shown in my previous post, if you are familiar with permissions. How else would anyone be able to istall any software? I never use run as administrator when installing software and I'm sure there are many others who don't. Please do not confuse the issue.

As a security measure, Windows 7 doesn't allow users to create files in the Program Files folder. It is possible to take full control of Program Files, but doing so (a) is not recommended and (b) is not required to install software from an admin account.

Originally Posted by redsoxfan325

As I started to install a bunch of programs (using my account with Administrator access), the computer said I didn't have permission to write to Program Files.

Exactly what software is this, perhaps some download manager or the like that creates default download folder in the Program Files?

Is this Windows 7 compatible software? For software not compatible with Windows 7, right click the installer -> compatibility -> select the required compatibility mode.

Also, have you applied any modifications or registry tweaks to your system?

Originally Posted by OP

I recently did a clean install of Windows 7 Professional (over Vista Ultimate).

This must be the source of the problem. Did you format the partition? If not, do a clean install again and be sure to format the partition before the installation process begins. I'd recommend this so you do not face other problems.