I was messing around with acl's for files and didn't realize that I was on my root folder for my entire computer. Now I cannot access anything on my computer. I can login to my profile but it's a blank desktop. I cannot even push the start button. I can get the cmd prompt up but not in admin mode. Plus the cmd prompt doesn't start from the normal C:/. I can get access to the admin cmd prompt from the troubleshooting area before the OS boots up. I just need to clear the security settings so my system can read them again. I have done a few commands but nothing seems to work.
I have done that but nothing seems to work. It keeps telling me access denied when I run
Icacls <c:/> /grant administrators:F /T
I am currently trying to find something else
Do you remember if you set a DENY permission when experimenting? Denies come first when windows evaluate ACLs and overrides everything, even if an account has another rule giving it permissions.
I have tried it but I did it again and still nothing. Would creating installation media for Windows 10 on a usb drive and restoring it to a restore file on my computer work?
In the boot up troubleshooting tools, you can try a System Restore to an earlier date. Or you can do a Reset, which gives you the option of leaving your data files alone - I think. Try the System Restore first.
when I log on, it doesn't let me do anything. No buttons work. I can hotkey the run prompt and run cmd (user level) but that's it. Nothing else works. I have to hold shift and click restart to get to the advanced troubleshooting options and then get to the admin cmd prompt
On the welcome screen where you sign in, you should see the power button. Hold down Shift and press the power button. This will give you access to Trouble Shooting, Go to Advanced Options, then System Restore.
Yeah that doesn't work either. It gives a can't read referenced memory error or something like that. Even resetting it doesn't work either. I think I may have accidentally messed with the system access list too unfortunately. Any other suggestions?
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