FIX PERMISSIONS

When you hive off your data to a separate partition or drive, you may have issues accessing your user folders after reinstalling Windows. That’s because they’re “owned” by your current user account, and when you reinstall Windows, you end up creating a new user account, even if it’s identical to your old one.

In most cases, when you first try to access one of these folders—when you point Windows toward them, say— you’re told access is denied, but are prompted to click “Continue” to gain permanent access.

This usually resolves the issue, adding your current user account to the list of users permitted access. If it fails, you need to manually take control of the folder. Right-click it, and choose “Properties > Security tab.” If there aren’t any read permissions, click “Advanced,” followed by “Continue.” Next, click “Add,” followed by “Select a principal,” then click “Advanced > Find Now.”

You have a choice—if you share your PC with others, select your username; if you’re the only user, you could select “Everyone,” which saves the hassle of having to repeat this process every time you reinstall Windows (though if it’s a laptop, ask yourself if you want the data accessible to anyone who might steal it). Click “OK” twice, and you should now be able to assign basic permissions— choose “Full Control” if you were the previous owner of the folder. Click “OK,” select “Replace all child objects,” and click “Apply > OK.” Click “OK” twice, and you should now have access. If you’re feeling zealous, right-click the folder again, and choose “Properties > Security tab.” Click “Edit,” then select each “Account unknown” entry (a reference to earlier Windows installations), and click “Remove” followed by “OK” to get rid of them all.