I am trying to understand how to set the level of permissions for my files and folders. But I also want to understand the exceptions to Level 1 and Level 2 permissions. I have never used a "computer network at work." I have only used a "computer network at school." So, I only have a limited understanding of what "Administrator" means. At home, when I am sitting at my computer, which is not hooked up to a work network, or the school's network, I am the "Administrator" on my computer. This is because I created the "user account" by going through the necessary steps to create such an account on my computer, and I assigned a password to the account. Only I can read and write to the files and folders I created in my user account's "My Documents " folder. Unless I change the file and share permissions, all the files and folders within the "My Documents" folder are private (Level 1,) and no one else can read or write to my files. I have "full control."However, if I am on a computer at work, or at school, even though I am the "owner/creator" of my files and folders, there is another person (my boss or my teacher, for example,) who is the "network Administrator." Presumably, that person has access to my files and folders and shares full control over them. If that is true, how can someonewho is not the creator of the file or folder gain access to it? If someone else can gain full control over my files and folders at school or work, what keeps an unknown person from gaining access to my files and folders on my computer a home. What I mean to say is this: If I can change the permissions to allow someone else to read and write to my files and folders, what keeps an unauthorized person from performing the same steps to access my files and folders? My question relates to the operating systems I am learning about, which is Windows XP Pro and Windows Vista SP2.1 person needs an answerI do too

HiLog to this page and scroll few screens down.http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040 Jack-MVP Windows Networking. WWW.EZLAN.NET

Hi Jack!It happens that I was just taking notes on that excellent article you mentioned and the article itself is what generated the question. I am not yet finished organizing the blizzard of MS articles and lessons which I have downloaded concerning "permissions." Reading about it is one thing, but actually applying the lesson to the real world is even better. Since I am not working or in school right now, I feel that it is much more difficult to learn the concept of "networking" and sharing computer files on a network at work or at school. When I was in school, I did not know how to really use the computer beyond using it like a glorified typewriter. Being born in the "Dinosaur Age" when computers took up the size of a room, I never learned about them. When I went back to school to take a computer class, I found it difficult to deal with a Machine standing in the way of me and the printed page. Now, I have grown to love my "HAL." But the "networking" experience still escapes me. I never had to use computers at work. Now, I am very much aware that I not only need to learn the MS Office programs to become marketable, but I also need to know how to use the programs in a "workgroup" setting on the job. Therefore, I have decided to re-read the articles and lessons which concern "networking" since becoming a little more versed in the Office programs. I think I will get more out of the networking articles the second time around. Then, I will go "trawling" for a willing subject among my aquaintences who has a computer I can connect to, and share a public folder with. I am still a little leary of doing this, because with my luck, I will inadvertently press the wrong button and sail all my personal files onto the Net--which is NOT something I want to do....But thank-you for the reply and the reference to that excellently written and updated article.Sincerely,Electrongal:)