Domain Admin unable to access NTFS Drive

I have a Windows Server 2016 member server that has a C: and a F: drive.

As Part of our standard file server build we remove all permissions from the root of the F: drive except for:

SYSTEM (Full Control)
Administrators (Full Control)
I've created a new domain user 'jakeadmin' and granted it membership of the Domain Admins group.

Domain Admins is a member of the member server's local Administrators group.

When I logon (via RDP) to the member server FILESERVER-01 as the domain user 'jakeadmin' this user cannot access the F: drive. I then tried adding the Domain Admins group with full control to the root of the F: drive but my 'jakeadmin' user still cannot access the F: drive:

If I logon to Fileserver-01 as a local machine administrator I have no trouble accessing the F: drive at all.

Why can't I browse my F: drive, even if I'm in the Administrators group?

I don't see turning off UAC as a solution - It's a terrible idea..

FYI: Effective Permissions below: (As you can see, everything is OK)

I wear a lot of hats...

"The solutions and answers provided on Experts Exchange have been extremely helpful to me over the last few years. I wear a lot of hats - Developer, Database Administrator, Help Desk, etc., so I know a lot of things but not a lot about one thing. Experts Exchange gives me answers from people who do know a lot about one thing, in a easy to use platform." -Todd S.

LVL 63

McKnifeCommented: 2017-11-29

Start explorer elevated.
•      start regedit.exe and go to the following key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\{CDCBCFCA-3CDC-436f-A4E2-0E02075250C2}
•      make a right click on Permissions and set your user as owner (click on advanced button to be able to take ownership) of the key and give your current user writing permissions.
•      Next, rename the value RunAs to _Runas
Afterwards, you can righ clck explorer.exe and choose "run as administrator" and the problem is solved.

Experts Exchange Solution brought to you by

Your issues matter to us.

Facing a tech roadblock? Get the help and guidance you need from experienced professionals who care. Ask your question anytime, anywhere, with no hassle.

Start your 7-day free trial

LVL 1

Jake IvesSenior EngineerAuthor Commented: 2017-11-29

@McKnife Thank you for your input -

I have deployed Windows server 2012 file servers in the past and configured them the same yet I am able to browse the drive letter in question.. I'm reluctant to changing registry entries and accessing explorer using the 'Run as' mechanism ..

all administrators should be able to access all aspects of the file server.

Really can't get my head around this one..

Thanks again

It was the same since UAC came up and this behavior is normal. If it worked on 2012 then either you used the built-in account "administrator", for which UAC is non-effective or UAC was even off. The registry editing is the best way, else, you will have to use a different explorer like total commander which can be run as administrator by default, or you will need to work with the account "administrator".

So if I was to access the server with the built in domain admin account DOMAIN\Administrator I would be able to see the drive?

If that is the case, would be be best practice to create a new group called Data Managers and assign the domain admin group to that? (Or individual members?)

Yes, administrator local and domain\administrator would both work right away.

No, that would not work, since the domain admin token needs elevation. You would need to add the individual account names to that group "data managers".

LVL 3

ferraristaCommented: 2017-11-29

are you sure jack is indeed an administrator on that server, just in case, can you try to have jack setting up a dummy account or browsing the security event log ?

McKnifeCommented: 2017-12-18

Author abandoned. Known issue and solution.

Domain Admin unable to access NTFS Drive

Who is Participating?