Vista supports both the FAT32 and NTFS file systems. One of the big differences between them is the permissions that can be set on folders and files. NTFS provides more permissions than FAT 32, allowing you a finer granularity of control when it comes to securing your folders and files.

NTFS permissions include standard permissions and special permissions. The standard permissions are made up of combinations of special permissions. The Standard NTFS permissions included with Vista are as follows:

• Read - Allows a user to view the contents of a folder, of the contents of a file. The user cannot view the contents of subfolders.
• Write - Allows a user create files and folders, but not read the contents of any files and folders he did not create.
• Modify - A full combination of both Read and Write permissions. A user can also delete files within a folder that has this permission. She can also view the contents of subfolders.
• Read & Execute - The Read permission with the ability to read file and folder permissions, along with the contents of subfolders.
• List Folder Contents - The same as Read & Execute, without the ability to execute files.
• Full Control - Allows a user to read, execute, create, and delete data, along with the added ability to assign other user accounts permissions to the object.

You can set standard NTFS permissions using the steps below.

1. Open Windows Explorer.
2. Right click the appropriate folder or file and click Properties.
3. Click the Security tab.
4. Click the box beside the permission/s you want to apply.

As I already mentioned, each of the standard permissions described above is actually composed of several Special Permissions. These permissions can be viewed or modified by clicking on the Advanced button from the Security tab. Vista has added the additional Special Permissions to the permissions list in order to indicate any advanced permissions that have been assigned to the highlighted user. Special permissions can be used in combination with any standard permission to provide a more granular approach to file and folder security. With some research, you can determine which special permissions make up the standard permissions.

[tags]Diana Huggins, Microsoft, Windows, Vista, special permission[/tags]