What happens when you move a file with ntfs permissions to a different ntfs volume?

What happens to NTFS permissions if you copy or move the files or folders? The answer is: it depends. Read more to learn what happens!

To give you a clearer explanation, consider the following three scenarios. Let’s assume that you are going to copy “D:MyFolder” and let’s assume that “D:” has an NTFS format.

Copying Files between NTFS Partitions

Move D:MyFolder to D:MyFiles

Results:

• The file or folder retains its original NTFS permissions.
• You must have the “Write” permission set up for the destination folder to move files and folders into that folder.
• You must have the “Modify” permission set up for the source file or folder. The “Modify” permission is required to move a file or folder because Windows 2000 deletes files and folders from the source folder after they are copied to the destination folder.
• You become the creator and owner.

Moving Files between NTFS Partitions

Copy D:MyFolder to F:MyFolder

Results:

• The file or folder inherits the NTFS permissions of the destination folder.
• You must have the “Write” permission set up for the destination folder to move files and folders into that folder.
• You must have the “Modify” permission set up for the source file or folder. The “Modify” permission is required to move a file or folder because Windows XP Professional deletes files and folder from the source folder after they are copied to the destination folder.
• You become the creator and owner.

Copying Files

General discussion

• Breaking down NTFS permissions. What happens when you move/copy files?

  This is a simple approach to understanding moving or copying files using NTFS permissions in Windows XP Pro. I’ve read several posts and Microsoft books and it can get consfusing. So, I’ve broken it down in which I can understand.

  Copy / Move Files using NTFS

  – Copy File —> Folder within ntfs volume, inherits folder permissions
  – Copy File —> Folder between ntfs volumes, inherits folder permissions
  – Move File —> Foloder between ntfs volumes, inherits folder permissions
  – Move File —> Folder within ntfs volume, retain permissions regardless what permissions the folder may have
  – Copy or Move File —> FAT32 to NTFS volume, inherits folder permissions

  Copy / Move Files using EFS

  – Copy unencrypted File —> Encrypted Folder within ntfs volume, inherits folder permissions. File is Encrypted.
  – Copy unencrypted File —> Encrypted Folder between ntfs volumes, inherits folder permissions. File is Encrypted.
  – Copy encrypted File —> Unencrypted Folder within ntfs volume, inherits folder permissions. File is decrypted.
  – Copy encrypted File —> Unencrypted Folder between ntfs volume, inherits folder permissions. File is decrypted.
  – Move unencrypted File —> Encrypted Folder within ntfs volume, retains file permission. File remains unencrypted.
  – Move encrypted File —> Unencrypted Folder within ntfs volume, retains file permission. File remains encrypted.
  – Move unencrypted file —> Encrypted Folder between ntfs volumes, inherits folder permission. File is encrypted.
  – Move encrypted file —> Unencrypted Folder between ntfs volumes, inherits folder permission. File is decrypted.

  Copy / Move files using Compression

  – Copy uncompressed File —> Compressed Folder within ntfs volume, inherits folder permissions. File is compressed.
  – Copy uncompressed File —> Compressed Folder betwen ntfs volumes, inherits folder permissions. File is compressed.
  – Copy compressed File —> Uncompressed Folder within ntfs volume, inherits folder permissions. File is uncompressed
  – Copy compressed File —> Uncompressed Folder between ntfs volumes, inherits folder permissions. File is uncompressed.
  – Move uncompressed File —> Compressed Folder within ntfs volume, retains file permission. File remains uncompressed.
  – Move compressed File —> Uncompressed Folder within ntfs volume, retains file permission. File remains compressed.
  – Move uncompressed file —> Compressed Folder between ntfs volumes, inherits folder permission. File is compressed.
  – Move compressed file —> Uncompressed Folder between ntfs volumes, inherits folder permission. File is uncompressed.

All Comments

When moving a folder or file between different NTFS partitions the file or folder does not inherit the destination folder permissions is this statement true or false?

What happens to file permissions when files are copied from one location to another?

What happen when the permissions of NTFS file system and shared folder are combined?

What happens to a file or folder permission if it is copied within an NTFS partition?