How do I access a password protected folder after a system restore?

Question

I needed to do a system restore on my pc. When I began the system restore it prompted me to either do a complete restore or one that creates a backup of what is on the computer. I chose the one that did the backup so that I could keep all of my important files. Now that i have my computer restored, I cant access the most important file that I need which is the Documents and Settings folder. Before I did a restore, this section of my computer had a password on it and when I try to open the folder it tells me access is denied...PLEASE HELP!!!

Answer 1

If you are an administrator on the machine you can access any files as long as you can log into the machine as an administrator.

Now if you have Windows XP Home edition (pro edition users skip to step 1) this gets a little tricky.... but you will first need to go into safe mode. If you have not set an administrator password on your system, by default there is none. So press F8 after your restart the machine, hitting it every few seconds (not holding it) Until a Windows Start up menu appears.... then go to that foler and do the following:
1) Right click on the folder and select properties
2) Go to the security tab
3) If you do not see any usernames listed do the following steps otherwise skip to step 9
4) Click on advanced
5) Click on owner
6) Click on Administrators
7) Click on the check box for replace owner on subcontainers and objects
8) Click OK
9) For the groups and user names on the security tab click Add
10) Click Advanced
11) Click find now
12) If administrators was not listed add administrators (click on it and say OK
13) Make sure system is added again follow steps 9-12 for add system
14) Add your user account which would likely be the same name as your documents and settings folder.
15) For all of them click on the full control box under permissions for....
16) Click advanced
17) Click on the box for replace permissions entires on all child objects with entries shown here that apply to child objects.
18) Click OK to exit advanced settings
19) Click OK to exit your folder properties

Now restart and see what happens. You should be now set to access your documents and settings folder again.

Answer 2

If you have windows XP Home. I do not know what to suggest other then to try and move it , being logged in as Admin. from safemode. If you have windows xp pro, try the below instructions.... WindowsXP Pro Instructions: If you can get to that persons MyDocuments folder through Windows Explorer, and you are an Administrator. Try resetting the file permissons on the folder by right clicking on it, chosing Sharing & Security. Chose the Security (tab). (If you do not have a "Security (tab)" , go to Tools/ Folder Options / View (tab). Scroll to the bottom of the list and turn off Simple File sharing". On the Security (tab) , in the Group or User names box.. Is "Everyone" listed as a group or user ? If not, click the ADD button , then click the Advanced (button) then click the Find now (button) and locate the "Everyone" in the list and highlight it. Click the OK button , then the OK button . Make sure to highlight "Everyone" from the Groups and Users list, and look below in the Permissions list box, that it has full "ALLOW" permissions. Click APPLY then OK. Then try to move it. If you plan on coping over any other users MyDocuments folder, I suggest you apply the "Everyone" permissions to their folders also, before you attempt to move them. If you don't, you will get "Access Denied". Also again, you may want to try moving the folder being signed in as the Admin. from safemode. Good Luck.. I hope this has helped.