How To Fix Folder Permission Settings (Windows)

A step-by-step guide on how to fix errors caused by insufficient permissions on Windows.

Foreword

This guide is to help users who are facing problems with installing/updating games due to insufficient permissions. However, this fix can also be applied to other applications that are also unable to be updated or installed due to insufficient permissions (simply replace "Steam" with the name of the program that is having the problem).

This guide is for Windows users.

As I am on Windows 10, I can guarantee that the instructions are accurate for Windows 10, but Windows 7 or 8 users may see different menus or options.

Step 1: Open folder properties for Steam

First, navigate to where your Steam is installed. Right-click on the folder and select Properties.

Step 2: Edit permissions on "Security" tab

Once the folder properties window is open, navigate to the "Security" tab.

Then click on "Edit".

Step 3: Allow full control

Now you may select the user(s) or group(s) that you want to give full control to.

Click on the user or group that you want to give full control to.

Under the "Permissions for Authenticated Users" section, check the box that says "Allow" on the right side of "Full control".

Then click "Apply".

Repeat for any user(s) or group(s) that you also want to give full control to.

Step 4: Advanced permission settings

Now, completing step 3 will usually solve basic errors with permissions.

However, if it does not, you will want to try changing your permission settings on an advanced level.

On the folder properties window, click on "Advanced".

Step 5: Change owner

On the Advanced Security Settings window, click on "Change".

Step 6: Select "Advanced"

On the "Select User or Group" window, click on the "Advanced..." button.

Step 7: Click on "Find Now"

Now new options will appear. Click on "Find Now" and a list of available users and groups will be displayed.

Search for your user account and select it.

In my case I have chosen to leave it on SYSTEM as that setting works for me.

Step 8: Replace all child object permission entries

After choosing the user or group that you want to give ownership of the folder to, it will bring you back to the Advanced Security Settings window.

Check the box that says "Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries from this object".

Then click "Apply".

It will take a while for Windows to change it. The wait time depends on the size of your folder.

Once it is done, click "OK".

Check this section if you cannot alter permission settings

That should solve problems with insufficient permissions to alter the folder and its contents. If you are unable to do the steps above, then check the following list for ways to fix that:

If the Security tab is not visible:

If you can see only the Sharing tab and NOT the Security tab, check the Properties for that drive. The Security tab is visible only on NTFS drives and will NOT be visible if you are using the FAT file system.

If Check marks disappear even after you have made and saved the changes:

If you have set permissions and then apply them to anything, other than the default location, (this Folder, Subfolder & Files) Windows Vista and later adds a check mark in the Special Permissions box. You can now view the applied permissions by clicking Advanced > Edit > selecting the User / Group > Click Edit. You may have to scroll to the bottom of the Permissions list to view it.

You find that the check marks for some users are shaded and in the Permissions dialog box, the check boxes for those users are unavailable:

Such permissions are inherited from the folder in which the file/folder is stored, and not set explicitly. To break the inheritance chain, you have to, in the Security Tab, click ‘Advanced’ in the ‘Advanced Security Settings’ box, then click Edit and finally clear ‘Include Inheritable Permissions From Objects Parent’.

If the Permission settings are not available:

You need to check your user account rights. Are you logged in as a member of the Administrators group? Or are you the owner of the object, to set its permissions? If you are logged in as a Standard user, you will be able to view only your own permission settings. If you select another user/group on the Security tab, the permissions box would be unavailable.

Source: The Windows Club[www.thewindowsclub.com]

Epilogue

You should be able to update or uninstall the affected program now.

I hope that this has helped you to solve your problem. Good luck!

[AmericanEntTodaysupreme!]

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[Mihuu]

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[SunnyOnMars]

Thank you pookie

[могучий мышь]

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[Дед]

You're God, thank you so much,
I've been racking my head for three days

[oktober.™]

this sadly didn't work for me !

[BopoH]

Thanks

[philichloe]

this sadily doesn't work :( i've tried it 3 times and i wish i could fix it.. if there is anyway please someone remind me

[Thirsty Barbas]

Thanks