Dear Windows Engineering Team,

I would like to address an aspect of file ownership control in Windows that could benefit from additional security and usability measures. This concerns the disparity between how easily administrators can change ownership from TrustedInstaller (or other system accounts) in the Properties > Security GUI and the complex, command-line-only methods required to revert ownership back to TrustedInstaller. This design presents potential risks for system stability and security.

Current Issue: Currently, any administrator can take ownership of critical system files from TrustedInstaller via the graphical interface with a few clicks. However, to restore ownership to TrustedInstaller, users must navigate complex command-line tools like SubInAcl or icacls, which are not accessible or known to many users, especially non-specialists. This discrepancy can lead to:

Accidental Ownership Changes: Non-specialist administrators might take ownership of system files, unaware of the potential consequences. This can inadvertently weaken the system’s security model, as files intended to be protected under TrustedInstaller’s restricted access are now more vulnerable.Irreversible System State: After taking ownership, users often cannot easily restore it to TrustedInstaller, as it requires knowledge of specific command-line tools and service account nuances. This restriction can leave critical files permanently less secure or misconfigured, creating system instability and potential security gaps.

Suggested Solution: To mitigate these issues, I propose a balanced approach to file ownership control. The following changes would improve both security and usability:

Two-Way Ownership Controls in the GUI: Allow the Properties > Security > Advanced > Owner dialog to not only take ownership from system accounts but also restore ownership back to TrustedInstaller. This would ensure users can revert any changes made accidentally or for temporary troubleshooting purposes without requiring command-line tools.Enhanced Warnings and Permissions: Introduce additional warnings or elevated confirmation when changing ownership from critical system accounts like TrustedInstaller to make the potential impact clear. This would help non-specialists make informed decisions.Ownership Reversion Assistance: A guided wizard or dedicated tool in Windows that allows users to return ownership to TrustedInstaller or other system accounts would also address this gap, giving administrators a straightforward way to correct accidental changes.

This change would enhance system integrity by making it easier for users to return files to their original secure state and by ensuring that file ownership changes—especially those affecting system accounts—are managed consistently across both directions.

Thank you for considering this suggestion. I believe that these adjustments would make Windows more secure and user-friendly for all administrators, regardless of expertise level.

Sincerely,

a long time Windows user

​Dear Windows Engineering Team,I would like to address an aspect of file ownership control in Windows that could benefit from additional security and usability measures. This concerns the disparity between how easily administrators can change ownership from TrustedInstaller (or other system accounts) in the Properties > Security GUI and the complex, command-line-only methods required to revert ownership back to TrustedInstaller. This design presents potential risks for system stability and security.Current Issue: Currently, any administrator can take ownership of critical system files from TrustedInstaller via the graphical interface with a few clicks. However, to restore ownership to TrustedInstaller, users must navigate complex command-line tools like SubInAcl or icacls, which are not accessible or known to many users, especially non-specialists. This discrepancy can lead to:Accidental Ownership Changes: Non-specialist administrators might take ownership of system files, unaware of the potential consequences. This can inadvertently weaken the system’s security model, as files intended to be protected under TrustedInstaller’s restricted access are now more vulnerable.Irreversible System State: After taking ownership, users often cannot easily restore it to TrustedInstaller, as it requires knowledge of specific command-line tools and service account nuances. This restriction can leave critical files permanently less secure or misconfigured, creating system instability and potential security gaps.Suggested Solution: To mitigate these issues, I propose a balanced approach to file ownership control. The following changes would improve both security and usability:Two-Way Ownership Controls in the GUI: Allow the Properties > Security > Advanced > Owner dialog to not only take ownership from system accounts but also restore ownership back to TrustedInstaller. This would ensure users can revert any changes made accidentally or for temporary troubleshooting purposes without requiring command-line tools.Enhanced Warnings and Permissions: Introduce additional warnings or elevated confirmation when changing ownership from critical system accounts like TrustedInstaller to make the potential impact clear. This would help non-specialists make informed decisions.Ownership Reversion Assistance: A guided wizard or dedicated tool in Windows that allows users to return ownership to TrustedInstaller or other system accounts would also address this gap, giving administrators a straightforward way to correct accidental changes.This change would enhance system integrity by making it easier for users to return files to their original secure state and by ensuring that file ownership changes—especially those affecting system accounts—are managed consistently across both directions.Thank you for considering this suggestion. I believe that these adjustments would make Windows more secure and user-friendly for all administrators, regardless of expertise level.Sincerely,a long time Windows user  Read More

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