Group policy for write access to C: drive only

directly to C-drive or some folder on C-drive?

there is a GP to hide drivers if you want to protect them

User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and Windows Explorer.
Click Hide these specified drives in My Computer.
Click to select the Hide these specified drives in My Computer check box.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/231289

You also can use the option of "Prevent access to drives from My Computer" if you don't want to hide it.

User Configuration
Administrative Template
Windows Components
Windows Explorer
"Hide these specified drives in My Computer"
"Prevent access to drives from My Computer"

Hi,

I don't want to hide anything, I just want to give them write permission directly to the C-drive.
Don't ask who wrote this piece of crap software, but I need to get it working.

Thanks.

In this case the best thing is a login script
Check this link:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/26200186/Group-Policy-Windows-2008-allowing-write-access-to-one-folder-only.html

I would suggest to modify standard RootSec.inf Security Template and apply it to GPO for those workstations which need write access to C-drive.

If you need help just let me know.

@rov17: How would this login script look like? The link states you substitute your C: drive by another drive, but the program must have access to C:

@iSiek: I am still a newbie with security templates, any more info on how this can be done would be appreciated.

Windows Server has default security templates defined. Yo can find them in %windir%\security\templates
There are a lot of INF files which are some kind of registry settings. You can save copy of one of them called RootSec.inf which is responsible for giving default permission to C-drive. After OS is installed it is applied to secure C-drive (from XP above). You can freely modify that security template and save it as your own, then import to GPO and link to proper OU (with computers) where those default settings should be modified.

I will try to prepare some guide in PDF if you're interested doing it that way.

@iSiek: So I can copy the RootSec.inf and give it another name like MyRootSec.inf edit it and link it to a GPO which is linked to specific computers/users?
What do I need to edit in the file?

You have to run mmc -> File -> Add/Remove Snap-in -> Add -> Security Templates on one of your DCs,
then navigate to Security Tempate's node and look for %WINDIR%\Security\Templates\rootsec
click right mouse button on it and choose "Save as" then type new name i.e. "MyRootSec.inf"
Select new security template and navigate to "FileSystem" node. In the right pane click right mouse button on %SystemDrive%\ and choose "Properties". Now click on "Edit Security..." button, "Add" button and decide if you want to create special group for those users (all of them will have write access to C-drive on each computer with policy appplied) or add "Authenticated Users" group (then each authenticated user in domain will have write access to C-drive). Give that group "Modify" permissions and click twice "OK" button and save this template once again (choose "Save" on MyRootSec).

Now create new GPO and navigate to "Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings" and click right mouse button on "Security Settings" node. Choose "Import Policy" and select your newly create security template (%WINDIR%\Security\Templates\MyRootSec.inf) and click "Open". Check if you have imported policy by checking node 'FileSystem" %SystemDrive%'s properties if that grooup is applied.

Now, link this GPO to OU where are workstations (because it is PC settings) and reboot them to apply changes. After reboot test, if your users have write access to C-drive.

Sounds like a perfect howto, I will try it out Tuesday next week and let you know if it worked.
Many thanks for your effort!

You're welcome. BTW, how many computers need these changes (if no more than 5 you can customize security template for each of them and apply it manually)?

Hi,

It seems that there is no rootsec.inf file in Windows 2008 R2.
What inf file do I need to copy?

Thanks.

The explanation could be better and in more detail.