Windows defines a special group called ‘Everyone Group’ that implies ‘Full Control’ permissions to the users. Sometimes, you might require removing access for this group. But if the target partition is NTFS boot partition, you might run into problems. In critical situations, you will need to reformat the hard disk and restore lost data from backup. However if no clean backup is available, you should use Data Recovery applications.

  As an example, you perform these steps in order

 

• Remove access for Everyone group from boot partition that is formatted to NTFS file system

• Click Replace Permissions On Subdirectories check box

  After this, you observe that you cannot access the partition. You get errors that you cannot access the desktop. This also occurs if you have logged on the system with administrative rights. In addition, if another user tries to logs in, it fails. This occurs because Everyone group cannot access the partition. Trying to start the Windows-base system, gives the following error on screen:

  “STOP: c000021A {Fatal System Error}”

  Cause

  The above behavior is exhibited because you have removed Everyone group and selected the option to replace the permissions on subdirectories. This resists all users including administrator to access the partition.

  Solution

  To resolve the above behavior, you should carry out these methods:

  You can set up Windows on another hard disk partition and take the ownership of affected partition after logging into the new installation.

You can also use File Manager that allows you to change the permissions. To do so, you will need to log on with administrative rights and open the Task Manager to run a new task. You can then type ‘winfile’ in Open box and then click the boot drive. You should then access its Security menu to click Permissions and then Grant the Everyone group Change permissions.  

As a last resort, reformat the boot partition and reinstall Windows. Next, restore lost data from backup.

  In situations, when you find data backup in invalid state or absent, use Data Recovery Software. Such tools serve as read-only Data Recovery tools to locate and restore the missing information.

  Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery is the optimum Data Recovery Software. It supports Windows 7 RC1, Vista, XP, 2003, and 2000. It is a read-only that is compatible with FAT32, VFAT, NTFS, and NTFS5 file systems. It provides advanced features like RAW File Recovery, File Filter, Save Scan, Disk Cloning, Disk Imaging and Drive Status etc.