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Little padlocks on certain Windows 7 files (Resolved)


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#1
JEISEN

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I am the only one that uses this PC. I've noticed there are little padlocks on some folders in the ProgramData folder too.


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#2
Aura

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Hi JEISEN :)

It seems like the permissions and/or ownership of these folders were changed for the users and groups. Did you install any software recently that could have done a such thing? Like an Antivirus or any other security software? Even a software that does direct interaction with files/folders. This being said, these padlocks aren't that bad, you can read more about it here:

https://answers.micr...55-6df40d35676a

If you wish, we could use Windows Repair All-In-One portable to reset the permissions on every files/folders, this will remove the padlocks.
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#3
JEISEN

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Hey Aura,

                I did have something to the effect of "show all hidden folders" enabled. It was crazy! I had shortcuts of files next to the actual files in My Documents. So I unchecked the "show all" boxes and now back to normal. Before Unchecking the "show all" boxes I even did a system restore-but that didn't help . I had to uncheck them myself.  The reason I was doing this: I was trying to gain access to my AppData folder. A piece of software I was using was telling me "This Folder Is Empty" when I KNOW it was not. I found out that this message sometimes means there is a virus. Which is a whole other issue from my original padlock problem. But MS Malicious Software Removal Tool, AVG and Spybot scans revealed no problems.
When installing said software I may have chosen the wrong destination folder. Will re-install and choose different path later today.

                I haven't installed any new hard or software lately.

Thanks for the link. That was a good read! I just may use the Windows Repair-reset since I'm the only on on this PC.

Thanks again!


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#4
Aura

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No problem JEISEN, my pleasure :) Let me know how it goes!


Edited by Aura, 19 January 2015 - 10:33 AM.

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#5
JEISEN

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Hey Aura-I ran the Windows Repair program. It took about an hour and twenty-six minutes. I checked the things I wanted fixed. It set everything back to "normal". After all of this I find out the AppData "problem" wasn't really a problem. The files I thought should be there were actually in another place.

Although I did notice in the Users folder-the four folders that are in there: Administrator-Default-Public-and the last one Jeisen. The Jeisen one has a padlock on it. But there hasn't been any folder so far that I've been denied viewing-My Documents-Pictures-Music or Video. Thanks again!


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#6
Aura

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No problem JEISEN, glad that your issue was solved :)
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