Shared Folder Permissions Issue - Help Desk Simulation
This walkthrough demonstrates how to simulate and resolve a common help desk issue: a user being unable to access a shared network folder due to incorrect permissions.
The goal of this exercise is to practice:
Creating a shared folder with proper Share and NTFS permissions
Simulating a permission failure (Access Denied) from a domain workstation
Restoring correct folder permissions on the server
Verifying the user can access, create, modify, and delete files
Writing professional help desk ticket notes
Step 1: Create a Shared Folder and Set Permissions
On the server:
Right-click desktop → New → Folder
Name it:
SharedTest
Right-click the folder → Properties
Go to Sharing tab → Advanced Sharing
Check Share this folder
Click Permissions
Remove Everyone
Add a specific user
Give them Full Control
Click Apply→ OK
Now set the Security permissions: Still in Properties, go to the Security tab
Click Edit → Add
Type the user’s name, click Check Names, then OK
Give Full Control
Click Apply → OK
Now go to the user’s machine and go to This PC
If you haven’t already done Map network drive for the new test folder do that first and then click on it, now the user should be able to access it
Now you have a shared folder with controlled access.
Step 2: Simulate the Issue
We will break permissions on purpose.
Go back to the Permissions under the Security tab
Remove the user’s permissions completely
Click Apply → OK
Now, from the workstation, try to open the share:
Press Windows + R → type “ \\Server2022\SharedTest”
Expected: You get “Access Denied” or credentials prompt
Simulation successful
Step 3: Fix the Issue (Help Desk Style)
Go back to the server
Right-click the folder → Properties
Go to: Security→ Edit→ Permissions (Set NTFS Permissions)
Re-add the user:
Click Add
Enter the username
Give Full Control
Apply the changes
Step 4: Test the Fix
From the workstation:
Press Win + R and type “ \\Server2022\SharedTest”
Try to open the folder
Try to create a new file inside (right-click → New → Text Document)
Expected result:
Folder opens
No permission error
You can create, edit, delete a file
Step 5: Ticket Notes
Ticket ID: #2025-1123-001
User: Naruto
Issue: Unable to access shared folder \\Server2022\SharedTest (Access Denied)
Steps Taken:
Verified user unable to open shared folder from workstation.
Checked folder share and security permissions on Server2022.
Found user missing from security permissions.
Re-added user with Full Control permissions.
User tested access—able to open folder and create/delete files successfully.
Result: Ticket resolved.
