Open command prompt as administrator, enter following 2 commands, substitute z:xxxxxxxx with name of your folder in which the problem exists. For example substitute z:xxxxxxx with D:\TOPFOLD as name of folder. Note spaces in command lines.
takeown /f z:xxxxxxx /r /d y
icacls z:xxxxxxx /grant administrators:F /T
The result will be all folders and files inside and below folder D:/TOPFOLD will be recursively assigned to you as logged in user, with all permissions granted. No more "Acess Denied" errors.
You can also fix just 1 file with this procedure.
Simply use address of problem file instead of folder as shown in example. For example D:\TOPFOLD\mylist.txt
BKMK - Thanks.
Get Windows 7. XP also works just fine.
Do I assume correctly that these admin cmd lines are on the machine which I wish to access?
I had a HD crash about 2 wks ago and lost access to my D drive (W10) from my laptop (W11).
Been searching everywhere for how to regain it. Tried several work arounds, but nothing works.
If this works for me, man, are you a lifesaver.
Linux
Since I am the only one on my computers, I turn off most of the stuff in the Windows UAC (User Access Control).
Use your own computer, not a stranger’s... /s
The problem is that the User Access Control that has been part of every MS Windows since Vista (pardon my french) was a ham-fisted effort to give Windows the same sort of file-level access control UNIX/Linux has had since forever, but they botched it horribly and with each new release of Windows it only gets worse.
The account you’re logged in as HAS TO HAVE Administrator privileges to do this.
1. Disable User Access Control
https://www.minitool.com/news/how-to-disable-uac-windows-10-004.html
That will get most of them but Windows’ “User Access Control” is such an abomination that you might still have an occasional trouble spot. You can fix them by taking ownership of the directory the files are in.
2. Go to the website below:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3841-add-take-ownership-context-menu-windows-10-a.html
Download the file “Add_Take_Ownership_to_context_menu.reg”
Right-click on the *.reg file and choose “add to registry.” When it asks if you’re sure, click yes. It will tell you the new key has been added.
Once that’s installed, you can right-click on any directory and choose “Take ownership.” You user account will then “own” that directory. Do the same to the individual files within that directory if necessary.
I'm afraid there is no "easy" way because User Access Control is. That. Horribly. Botched.