You do not have permission to access this directory/file

[ChrisEM]

I have two PR4100 NAS boxes with 4x4TB drives in each configured as single volume RAID 5 arrays. One is the primary data store the other for backup. My primary refuses to complete powerup, so I am trying to copy from the backup to additional USB drives. This is the subject of a support request and remains unanswered beyond go to the dashboard - on a device that is “unavailable”.

Share Created on primary by PR4100 Admin Account, Backed up to backup by use of remote backup app provided by Western digital. Backup PR4100 accessed across network from Windows laptop on same network by Windows Admin Account using a Backup PR4100 Admin user account. Results in above error when attempting to access the sub directory file content (share set to both public and not public - same result). Strangely, when using cloud access via Apple iPAD, there is no such restriction.

This question here is about another new element I have just been delt: Unfortunately some directories/files cannot be accessed due to access restrictions - call the administrator - who is me! Strangly, this is on shares created from the dashboard, with subdirectories created within windows 11 file view. First Question - which administrator (windows (access), primary cloud (source), backup cloud (copy))? The drive is mapped using the admin priviledges account for the backup cloud and windows is logged on with windows admin priviledges and accessing the network location with the backup cloud account with admin priviledges. More interstingly, this restriction occurs when access across my network via ethernet from a Windows 11 Network but, if I use the MyCloud App from my iPhone/iPad, there is no such restriction - I can see/access all, but of course cannot attach to external USB to download. What is going on here?

[Vegan]

I suggest a low cost USB enclosure with a larger capacity basic hard disk and use that for recovered data.

You may need to reset ownership on the WDC storage device.

Save the following to a reg file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT*\shell\takeownership]
@=“Take Ownership”
“NoWorkingDirectory”=“”

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT*\shell\takeownership\command]
@=“cmd.exe /c takeown /f “%1” /r /d y && icacls “%1” /grant administrators:F /t /c”

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\takeownership]
@=“Take Ownership”
“NoWorkingDirectory”=“”

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\takeownership\command]
@=“cmd.exe /c takeown /f “%1” /r /d y && icacls “%1” /grant administrators:F /t /c”

[kencarter556]

Your backup PR4100 has all the data, but Windows won’t open some folders because the Remote Backup app also copied the original PR4100’s file permissions. So even though you’re using the backup unit’s admin account, the files are still owned by the old PR4100’s internal user, and SMB blocks access. The MyCloud app works because it ignores these permissions, which is why everything shows up on your iPhone or iPad. The fix is to reset ownership and permissions on the backup PR4100—either by using SSH (chown -R admin:share and chmod -R 775) or by switching the share from private to public and back to private in the dashboard. After doing that, Windows will be able to access all folders normally.

[ChrisEM]

A useful explanation, well done. Issue resolved thought it would be useful if, rather then check with admin, the message had actually said which admin. Should have said - private to public and back again a couple of times, did the trick in my case.