Windows 10: how to disable ntfs file permissions system entirely on external drive that is already ntfs

exactly what the title says, I have an external drive I use for modded game setups, and for some reason despite NEVER changing the owner to "SYSTEM" it gained full control of a drive with literally no programs that do not natively run portable and it is reaking havoc with the VFS of the mod managersI simply want it to NEVER have ANY ownership or security, and reformatting is a PITA when I would have to format as not NTFS then use the convert command just to disable itis there another way or do I have to start from the moment of formatting with security disabled? if so WHY IS THAT?!!!honestly i

:)

 

Assistance Required with Accessing Files on NTFS External Drive

Dear Microsoft Support Team,

I am experiencing difficulties in accessing files on my external hard drive. Despite the drive indicating used space, no files or folders are visible when I access the drive. Below, I have outlined the background of the issue, the steps I have taken to resolve it, and the current state:

Background of the Issue:

• Drive Format: The external drive is formatted with NTFS.
  
• Previous Usage: The drive was previously used on an Apple iMac and was thought to be formatted with APFS due to access issues on a Windows system. However, upon further checks, it was confirmed to be NTFS formatted.
  
• Symptoms: The drive properties indicate that there is used space (14 MB used, 112 MB free), but no files are visible when accessing the drive on a Lenovo laptop running Windows 11.
  

Steps Taken to Resolve the Issue:

1. Visibility of Hidden Files: I adjusted the settings to show hidden files, folders, and protected operating system files in File Explorer.
   
2. Permissions Adjustment: I attempted to modify the permissions and take ownership of the drive via the Security tab in Properties. During this process, I changed the owner from the SYSTEM account to my user account (email ID used as username).
   
3. Permission Warnings: When changing permissions, I received a Windows security warning about changing permissions for the "System Volume Information" directory. I opted to proceed, granting full control.
   
4. Error Checking and Disk Repair: I ran the CHKDSK utility with the parameters /f and /r to fix file system errors and recover readable information from bad sectors. No improvements were noted.
   
5. File Recovery Software: Considering the possibility of file system corruption, I contemplated using file recovery software but have not proceeded with this step yet.
   

Current State: Despite these efforts, the drive still shows no files, and I am unable to access any data that appears to occupy space on the drive. This situation leads me to suspect deeper file system issues or potential mishandling of NTFS permissions that are beyond typical user-level fixes.

I seek your guidance on how to proceed further to recover my files or at least gain visibility into the existing data on the drive. Any assistance or insights from your team would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

 

Getting a "The file is too large for the destination file system" error on a NTFS external HD

Hi

Welcome to Microsoft community.

If you're encountering the "The file is too large for the destination file system" error on an external hard drive that is already formatted with NTFS, it's possible that there may be other issues at play. Here are some steps to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue:

1. Check Available Space: Ensure that your NTFS-formatted external hard drive has sufficient free space to accommodate the file you're trying to copy. NTFS theoretically supports very large files, but the actual available space on the drive could be a limiting factor.
   
2. File System Corruption: Although NTFS is a robust file system, it's not immune to corruption. Run a disk check utility to scan and repair any potential file system issues. Here's how to do it:
   
   • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
     
   • Type (replace "X" with the drive letter of your external hard drive) and press Enter. chkdsk /f X:
     
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to schedule a disk check at the next system restart.
     
   • Restart your computer to allow the check to run.
     
3. Check for Disk Errors: Use the built-in Windows utility to check the disk for errors:
   
   • Right-click the drive in File Explorer.
     
   • Select "Properties."
     
   • Go to the "Tools" tab.
     
   • Under "Error checking," click "Check."
     
4. Defragment the Drive: If your external hard drive is heavily fragmented, it might affect its ability to store large files efficiently. You can defragment the drive to optimize its performance:
   
   • Right-click the drive in File Explorer.
     
   • Select "Properties."
     
   • Go to the "Tools" tab.
     
   • Under "Optimize and defragment drive," click "Optimize."
     
5. Check File Attributes: Ensure that the file you're trying to copy doesn't have any unusual attributes or permissions that might prevent it from being copied. Right-click the file, select "Properties," and review the file's attributes.
   
6. Use a Different USB Port or Cable: Sometimes, hardware issues can lead to file transfer problems. Try using a different USB port or cable to connect your external hard drive.
   
7. Test with a Different File: Try copying a different large file to the external hard drive to see if the issue is specific to that particular file.
   
8. Backup and Reformat: If none of the above steps work, you may need to back up the data on the external hard drive, reformat it, and then copy your files back to it. This process can help refresh the file system and resolve any underlying issues.
   
9. Check for Hidden or System Files: Make sure you're not trying to copy any hidden or system files that could be restricted.
   

If none of these steps resolve the issue, and you continue to encounter the error, it's possible that there might be a hardware problem with your external hard drive. In such cases, consider contacting the drive's manufacturer for further assistance or replacing the drive if it's under warranty.

Please feel free to let me know if you have any further updates. Thanks.

Best regards

Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

 

xp ntfs permissions erased - help!

NEVER, ever, remove FULL CONTROL permissions in the Access Control Lists/rights priveleges from:

• Administators Group

• YOUR local Administrator User

• SYSTEM

on NTFS rights on your disks (via Explorer.exe rightclick properties menu, security tab) that use that filesystem, OR in the REGISTRY either, via rightclick on HIVES/KEYS permissions popup menu options...

(Sure way to lock yourself out, period, & I have done it myself early on w/ NTFS filesystems &/or the Registry before... only way to learn sometimes, is making mistakes!)

* Keep this in mind, those of you that start experimenting w/ security @ these 2 levels!

APK

P.S.=> Leaving them @ FULL POWER, in both areas, usually 9/10 times allows you to get back into your rig (logging on as your LOCAL ADMINISTRATOR USER, to fix it), & make alterations to rights/acl's as needed, to "get it right", eventually... especially when you're still learning/experimenting! apk