Problems accessing files on external HDD

[AliveGhost13]

Hi all

I am facing some problems accessing files on an external HDD

 

The files were copied from a windows server install onto the HDD. These files were only accessible by a few people (not everyone).

The server has since been reinstalled and moved to new hardware with new usernames etc and the PCs reconnected to the new server again

When I try to access these files I get access denied errors. The only way to change the permissions for each individual PDF, Excel file etc is to right click, properties, security etc and change the owner to everyone then change the permissions to everyone. It takes ages and don't really have the time or patience to do this

 

When I try to change the permissions for the whole folder, for multiple files I get a "Error Applying Security. Failed to enumerate objects in the container. Access is denied" message no matter who or what I change the permissions to.

 

Is there a way to change the permissions and owner as a whole so I can just bloody open the files as it's really annoying now.

 

Thanks

[Tusk2435]

11 minutes ago, AliveGhost13 said:

Hi all

I am facing some problems accessing files on an external HDD

 

The files were copied from a windows server install onto the HDD. These files were only accessible by a few people (not everyone).

The server has since been reinstalled and moved to new hardware with new usernames etc and the PCs reconnected to the new server again

When I try to access these files I get access denied errors. The only way to change the permissions for each individual PDF, Excel file etc is to right click, properties, security etc and change the owner to everyone then change the permissions to everyone. It takes ages and don't really have the time or patience to do this

 

When I try to change the permissions for the whole folder, for multiple files I get a "Error Applying Security. Failed to enumerate objects in the container. Access is denied" message no matter who or what I change the permissions to.

 

Is there a way to change the permissions and owner as a whole so I can just bloody open the files as it's really annoying now.

 

Thanks

You'd probably want to use the icacls command to edit in batch the ownership settings of the files. Try if that works
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-R2-and-2008/cc753525(v=ws.10)
You might want to take a look at this too

https://support.microsoft.com/it-it/help/825751/how-to-use-xcacls-vbs-to-modify-ntfs-permissions