The following list describes Windows NTFS (New Technology File System) and how permissions affect what a user can and cannot do to a file or folder. NTFS is more advanced than the FAT file system used by the earlier Windows operating systems. It supports file system recovery, extremely large storage media, long filenames, improved security and the ability to reconstruct files in the event of hardware failures
Here are the standard permissions:
Read - Allows a user to view the contents of a folder, of the contents of a file. The user cannot view the contents of subfolders.
Write - Allows a user create files and folders, but not read the contents of any files and folders he did not create.
Modify - A full combination of both Read and Write permissions. A user can also delete files within a folder that has this permission. She can also view the contents of subfolders.
Read & Execute - The Read permission with the ability to read file and folder permissions, along with the contents of subfolders.
List Folder Contents - The same as Read & Execute, without the ability to execute files.
Full Control - Allows a user to read, execute, create, and delete data, along with the added ability to assign other user accounts permissions to the object.
Here are the basic share permissions that are used along with NTFS permissions. While share permissions are not as detailed as NTFS permissions, they allow you to configure a shared folder for fundamental access scenarios.
Read
Users can display folder names, file names, file data and attributes. Users can also run program files and access other folders within the shared folder.
Change
Users can create folders, add files to folders, change data in files, append data to files, change file attributes, delete folders and files, and perform actions permitted by the Read permission.
Full Control
Users can change file permissions, take ownership of files, and perform all tasks allowed by the Change permission.
Related Tip:
NTFS Special Permissions
How to Setup Roaming Profiles in Windows 2000/2003
Learn Computer Networking Terminology
