Have you ever reinstalled WindowsXP only to have it complain about ownership of a certain folder, giving you an access denied error when trying to open a user's directory? Ownership of folders is important so other users cannot access your folder unless they have proper administrative rights. This is done by default by the operating system in an effort to keep individual user data safe.

Luckily, reclaiming ownership of the folder is an easy task. First thing to do is reboot the computer and load the operating system in "Safe Mode". Do this by pressing the F8 key as the computer boots and select "safe mode" from the pre-boot menu screen (this Guide to Safe Mode explains it in greater detail). In safe mode, login with a user account that has administrative privileges and go to the location of the folder in question. Right click on it and select "Properties", click the "Security" tab and find the "Advanced" button. Click on the "Owner" tab. Find your name or account name then click the "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects", click the "OK" button then "Yes". After that's done reboot the computer and load WindowsXP normally. The user in question will now have access to that folder once again.

Tip #2 - Lazy Network Folder Access:

Here's a trick to allow network access to computers when using blank passwords with Microsoft Windows Vista. Blank passwords are only an option those on a small private networks should consider. They are good for lazy networking, and make it simple to share contents of a computer without having to assign a login for each known user. However, PCSTATS does not recommend this kind of password regime as a rule. Anyway, on the Vista PC with the shared folders, go to Start > Run and type "gpedit.msc" and press the "Enter" key.

From there follow this path Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options.< P> In the right hand window double click on the "Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console login only" and disable it. After that's done, users will be able to log into the Windows Vista computer with a user account that has no password. Please note that doing this will leave the computer vulnerable should someone want to wreak havoc. Only enable this kind of lazy networking feature if you're sure of the others who use the PC. Or better yet, don't.

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