I have administrative rights on Windows Server 2003, so why am I denied access to a folder?

Solution 1:

You would have to take ownership of the folder. Under the Security tab, go to Advanced, switch to the Owner tab, and replace ownership on that folder (and its subfolders if you need it).

Once you do that, you can change the permissions as you need. If you cannot take ownership, you're not really an administrator.

Solution 2:

You can deny access to administrators, but administrators can gain access by making themselves the owner of the folder. Go to the security setting, advanced, and then select the owner tab. You can replace the owner with your administrator account, and then you have access.

Solution 3:

If you are a local admin, you will still be able to Take Ownership of the folder/file.

Folder Properties -- Security -- Advanced -- Owner -- Edit -- choose Administrators -- check Replace Owners on Subcons and Objects -- click Ok -- click Ok again -- click Ok again

Once you've done that, you can then change the permissions.