While troubleshooting a file-access problem on a Windows Server 2022 file server, an administrator must discover why a domain user receives "Access denied" when trying to modify files in D:\DeptData. Share permissions are not restrictive, so NTFS ACLs are suspected. The goal is to view-without altering any security settings-the precise rights the user actually has on that folder. Which tool or feature offers the most direct way to display the user's effective permissions?
Run the Sysinternals AccessChk utility against the folder for the affected user.
Execute icacls with the /reset switch on the folder to restore default ACLs.
Disable User Account Control (UAC) on the server so the user token is unrestricted.
Use the takeown command to assign ownership of the folder to Administrators.
AccessChk is a free Sysinternals command-line utility that queries the security descriptor of a file, folder, registry key, service, or other securable object and shows what access a specific user or group effectively has. Because it does not modify the ACL, it is ideal for permission-analysis troubleshooting.
Using icacls /reset would overwrite custom ACLs instead of simply reporting them. takeown changes object ownership and does not list effective rights. Disabling User Account Control neither inspects nor fixes NTFS permission issues and would lower the server's security posture.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
What is the purpose of the Sysinternals AccessChk tool?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
What is the difference between Share Permissions and NTFS ACLs?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
Why should disabling User Account Control (UAC) be avoided for troubleshooting access issues?