Windows Vista
Working with Permissions
When you set permissions, you are specifying what level of access users have to a folder and its files and what they can do within that folder (e.g., save, delete, or read files). In many cases, you will need to change the permissions to a file or folder.
This document covers the following:
Viewing Permissions
At any time, you can view or verify the permissions set for a file or folder. This is helpful if you want to review the permissions before you make any changes. Viewing permissions allows you to see who has access and what each user's permissions are.
NOTE: Only the owner and users or groups with special permissions can change permissions of other users or give new users access.
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Select the Security tab
The Group or user names section lists the users and/or groups that have access to the file or folder. -
To view each user's permissions, from the Group or user names section, click on a user
The user's permissions are displayed in the Permissions section.
Modifying Permissions
Once you have granted access to an individual or a group of users, you will need to set the level of access these individuals will have to the file or folder. In reality you are simply modifying the default permissions for the user(s). In most cases the default permissions will give the new user(s) too much access (e.g., the ability to delete files) or not enough (e.g. unable to create new files). It is a simple process to modify the permissions for a user.
NOTE: Only the owner and users or groups with special permissions can change permissions of other users or give new users access.
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Select the Security tab
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In the Group or user names list, select the user or group
The user's current permissions display in the Permissions section. -
Under Permissions, use the checkboxes to select the appropriate permissions
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Click OK
The user or group file permissions are modified.
Removing Permissions
At times, it may be appropriate to remove all permissions for a user or group (e.g., at the end of the semester). To remove permissions, follow these instructions.
NOTE: Only the owner and users or groups with special permissions can change permissions of other users or give new users access.
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Select the Security tab
NOTE: The top part of the dialog box lists which users or groups have access to the file or folder; the bottom part shows what permissions the user(s) have. -
In the Group or user names section, select the user you wish to remove all permissions for
WARNING: Be careful in your selection. Do not remove yourself from the list, as you will be barred from accessing the folder and you will not be able to change the permissions back yourself. Contact the LTS Help Desk if you have problems. -
Click REMOVE
The user or group disappears from the list in the Group or user names section. -
Click OK
