Changing file permissions using PowerShell

https://www.christitus.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/changing-file-permissions.png
Use the following script for changing file permissions using PowerShell. I use this script when command line takeown and icacls fail. Obviously, run from an elevated PowerShell prompt or by typing 'powershell' from elevated cmd.

The Script

Change $folder to the base directory you want for changing permissions. Please note, you can use network UNC paths for this or a simple C:\.

$folder = "\\homeserver\users\"
 $users = get-childitem$ folder
Foreach ( $user in$ users) {
 $acl = Get-Acl$ user.FullName
 $acl.SetOwner([System.Security.Principal.NTAccount]"$ user")
set-acl  $user.FullName$ acl -Verbose
 $subFolders = Get-ChildItem$ user.FullName -Directory -Recurse
Foreach ( $subFolder in$ subFolders) {
 $acl = Get-Acl$ subFolder.FullName
 $acl.SetOwner([System.Security.Principal.NTAccount]"$ user")
set-acl  $subFolder.FullName$ acl -Verbose
}
 $subFiles = Get-ChildItem$ user.FullName -File -Recurse
Foreach ( $subFile in$ subFiles) {
 $acl = Get-Acl$ subFile.FullName
 $acl.SetOwner([System.Security.Principal.NTAccount]"$ user")
set-acl  $subFile.FullName$ acl -Verbose
}
}

I've never had takeown fail on local disks, but I have found that I needed to resort to using a PowerShell script when doing this through a network location. It's a very powerful script, however always be careful when running this. Be sure to always test this in a subdirectory first. This can be catastrophic for a company with millions of files and folder to reset the permission on, therefore be very careful!

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Posted from my blog: https://www.christitus.com/2018/06/14/changing-file-permissions/