AccessScanner displays all special permissions of a Windows directory tree

Each user account of a Windows operating system has specific permissions assigned to it. This determines which files can be accessed or modified among other things.
Administrators can modify those permissions, to give additional rights to a user or remove rights instead. A simple example is a configuration file that you do not want users to modify in any way or form. You could remove the write permission so that users cannot modify it anymore.
One issue that you may run into as an administrator is that it is not easy to keep an overview over all special permissions. Or, if you are a user, you may wonder about the special permissions set by the admin of the system.
AccessScanner
AccessScanner is a free portable program for Windows that can scan a directory tree for special permissions. You do need to run the program with administrative privileges.
Once done, type or paste path information into the form and click on the scan button afterwards. You can let it scan local paths or network paths.
The application hides uninteresting directories and system accounts by default, which you can modify before you hit the scan button. In addition, you can have it scan owners as well.
What those options mean?
- Scan owners will add file ownership information to the list of file permissions.
- Hide uninteresting directories will hide all folders that do not have special permissions other than those inherited by the parent folder.
- Hide system accounts will hide permissions of internal system accounts.
The program displays its findings after a quick scan in the program window. It displays the folders with special permissions, and uses colors to highlight its findings.
Green highlights the directory owner of instance, while red indicates folders that you cannot access, and yellow that the directory name is longer than 255 characters.
What can you use it for?
AccessScanner has been designed for system and network administrators, but it does have it uses on home PCs as well. You can use it to scan your system for permission changes that you have not authorized. Or, if you experience access issues, scan the system to find out which folders are not accessible to you.
It can also be useful before you migrate data to another system, or to go through all special permissions to remove those that are no longer required.
You can save the program's findings as a HTML file to the local system.
Verdict
AccessScanner is really easy to use. You may run into permission or access issues here as the program cannot scan some system directories. If you run it on user or program created folders, you should not experience those issues.
It would have been great if the author would have added an option to blacklist some folders so that they are not scanned by the application.
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Does it come back after every “moment” update?
Yeah right.. Like this is going to stop defender from running =) This is comedy gold right here.
no ‘about the author’ paragraph?
For permanent disable defender is if removed complete from system no just change permission folder.
Just this is joke.
simpler, load Autoruns (SysInternals)
– filter “Defender”
– untag all entries
– reboot
nothing has changed since my 1st modification years ago
I wouldn’t disable Defender imho, it has too many hidden roots inside Windows itself. One time I tried to uninstall it using brute force scripts and then the Onedrive feature stopped working definitely. A reinstallation was needed and since those times I prefer to maintain Defender untouched. It’s a better method to install another antivirus and it will disable Defender in a safer and easier mode (e.g., Avast is the best in this way, and also Panda Cloud Free is good too).
U are just * [Editor: removed] thats the problem ;p first of all u shall always debloat windows u shall have max 65 services with your drivers for pc and windows own servs. You didnt know what that script did
You can not stop defender from running in background or remove it without some penalty. All you can do is to limit telemetry.
@borts,
It’s probably Smartscreen which is preventing WD from being disabled. Get rid of that and the problem should be solved: https://thegeekpage.com/disable-windows-defender-smartscreen/#How_to_disable_the_Windows_Defender_SmartScreen_via_Local_Group_Policy_Editor
Remove Windows and go for Linux.
Linux sucks dude. Besides it’s not comparable to Windows, these OSes are in different classes entirely.
I use Linux as my daily driver. It’s far more stable than Windows. When’s the last time you used Linux, 2010?
@basingstoke
You’re right, dude. Bro, linux is just a bunch of code that starts before the OS, dude. Brobrodude, that shit ain’t even got emojis, dudebrodudeman! Dudebro, it’s no way near as cool as Windows with its hardcoded abilities to make money off the user, bro. Yo brodude man, you’re the coolest dude ever man, bro. Dude.
Lol what? Windows 7 doesn’t come with any Emojis
Download Autoruns and remove the checkmark from Windows Defender. It doesn’t remove it, but it will never run. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/autoruns
Just use “Defender Control”:
https://www.sordum.org/9480/defender-control-v2-1/comment-page-1/#comments
Per this video,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLIjr7FyxZ8
it also works on Windows 11 too…
Win Defender, is completly the most succesful free-built in antivirus of Microsoft. Really nice product. Saved my ass a lot of times. Has updated malware database, completly strong defence
from whatever smart screen disables. Or if you want better and more upgrated (paid) program,
you can go further. But defender is always on your side.
Why would one disable Windows (or Microsoft) Defender in the first place?. I consider this to be playing with fire big time. Everybody knows that if one is using another A-V, Defender will be disabled on its own and won’t be in one’s way.
Why would I want to disable Windows Defender in the first place? It’s a great anti virus in my opinion. Been using it since Windows 8 and and never had a problem or a virus. Why mess with a good thing, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
How a ridiculous article!
I am thoroughly stunned.
Why Should You Disable First-Party Windows Defender?
I can only think that it is “malice or perversely intention (want you to buy a third-party AV where you can expect a back margin)” to guide invalidation without showing the premise.
No sane company will use third-party closed source programs (such as AV).
As I thought, “Ghacks Technology News” seems to be coming to downfall.