Permissions: System Volume Information folder, Windows 7

How can I directly access files in the System Volume Information folder while booted into Windows?

I have tried to change the file permissions by right clicking on the folder and selecting properties, then the Security tab, but no matter what I try it will not allow changing the owner or adding a user with read permissions. I always get Access Denied error message.

Is there a command line command that will do it, or other method while booted into Windows?

Answer

From the command prompt:

(hit enter key after each command)

ICACLS "C:\system volume information" /grant YourLoginID:F

this gives permissions to the folder

(yourLoginID= the account name you wish to grant permissions to)

ICACLS "C:\system volume information" /grant YourLoginID:F /T

this gives permissions to the folder contents.

Now you can view files in the System Volume Information folder.

To undo this:

ICACLS "C:\system volume information" /remove YourLoginID /T

Removes access to everything in the folder.

then

ICACLS "C:\System Volume Information" /remove yourLoginID

Removes access to the specified folder itself.

Source

Note: On my system when I ran the second command it failed to set permissions on one restore point file {xxxxxx}, maybe it is in use by the system and cannot be changed, not sure. I can see it in the SVI folder though, strange.

Also, using the Remove commands listed did not revert the changes, I can still view the files. I should have set a restore point before trying this, eek!