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• 08-06-2008, 10:26 AM

  boen_robot Joined on 07-31-2008, 11:31 AM Plovdiv Posts 14

  What happens with permissions after a reinstallation? Reply Contact Hi.  I'm using Windows 2008 for the first time now (still on trial) and I'm wondering what will happen with the folder persmissions if I reinstall Windows. My reasons for ever doing reinstallation would be (obviously) extension of the trial period and (what worries me more) disaster events that would require this like, say, viruses, hacker breaches, HDD failures, etc.  I have all directories accessable ("full control") to administrators + the folder's owner (which varies from folder to folder). Is there a way to export/import all users so that if I reinstall Windows, I could import them and get all permissions back right? And if not, would I at least be able to adjust the permissions manually (since the built in Administrators group has access)? The scenario I'm trying to avoid is having Windows reinstalled and not being able to access any directory then, because the directory would allow only its old users in.

  Tags: ReinstallationPermissionsFile

• 08-12-2008, 4:08 AM

  In reply to

  Zhao Ji Ma - MSFT Joined on 01-05-2007, 5:36 AM Posts 765

  Re: What happens with permissions after a reinstallation? Reply Contact Hi,  The Windows Installer offer options to re-install or repair previous Windows installation. If you choose to re-installing Windows 2008 all your data and programs will lost however the repair options keep previous configuration and programs. For profile backup and restore, you can find if there is third-party program to help you. Zhao Ji Ma Sincerely, Microsoft Online Community Support “Please remember to click “Mark as Answer” on the post that helps you, and to click “Unmark as Answer” if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread. ”

• 08-13-2008, 7:47 AM

  In reply to

  boen_robot Joined on 07-31-2008, 11:31 AM Plovdiv Posts 14

  Re: What happens with permissions after a reinstallation? Reply Contact I have previous bad experiences when doing a reinstall/repair. It just rarely works out well.  Most of the times when I'm forced to do a reinstallation, the only way it happens properly is by reformatting the system drive and installing Windows on it then (i.e. as if it's a clean installation).  I'm not worried about programs, configurations and data alone. I have the programs' installers so reinstalling them is not a big deal. I have all configuration files that can be relocated to be relocated on another drive. And my data too is on another drive.  The only thing that I'm worried about is what would happen with file permissions on other drives/partitions if I do that? Would administrator privilages remain associated with the old Administrator user account, or does giving "Administrators" full control means that even after such a clean reinstallation the new Administrator would be able to access those files?