DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

How to access all Drives & Folders In XP Recovery Console?

9 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/how-to-access-all-drives-folders-in-xp-recovery-console.15627/

Vishal Gupta
Vishal Gupta Original post #1
Sep 17, 2005 at 6:52 PM
Guys!
I know that we can install Recovery Console in Windows XP with the help of winnt32.exe file in I386 folder, by using /cmdcons parameter.
But whenever I start Recovery Console, it allows me only to Access C: Drive (on which my windows XP is installed) and not ne other drive, e.g., D:\, E:\, etc.
And also if there is ne folder other than Program Files, Windows, Documents & Settings in C:\Drive, then it doesnt allow to access that folder too.

So I want to know is there ne command or Registry trick to access all those folders and other drives in the recovery console?

thnx in advance!!!
R
Sep 17, 2005 at 7:12 PM
This security policy will also access to files and folders other than the defaults (normally access is restricted to \winnt and \cmdcons). To enable access to other folders, simply boot to the Recovery Console command prompt and type: set AllowAllPaths = true

You will then be able to access other files and folders on your computer. Please keep in mind that this is a potential security problem, and that you should be careful to restrict physical access to computers that are configured in this way.

If it fails me REPLY ME.
Vishal Gupta
Sep 17, 2005 at 7:15 PM
OK!
thnx.
I'll try it...
But is there not ne other method to set it forever?
I mean I'll hv to give this command each time.
Is there no way to do it only once?
ne registry trick?
R
Sep 17, 2005 at 7:22 PM
ok.TRY THIS

Click Start , click Run, type

gpedit.msc

Click Local Computer, click Finish , and then click Close to return to the Add/Remove Snap-in dialog box.

Click OK to return to the Console window.

Expand the Local Computer Policy object to Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options.

Select the Security Options object in the Console pane to display the security policies in the Details pane.

In the Details pane, double-click the Recovery Console: Allow Floppy Copy And Access To All Drives And Folders policy.

Click Enabled, and then click OK.

Quit the MMC.

After you have enabled this Group Policy, when you enter the Recovery Console you can change the environment settings with the set command, by using the set variable = TRUE or FALSE syntax.
R
Sep 17, 2005 at 7:23 PM
Note: Be sure to use a space on each side of the equal sign. If you do not, the set command generates a "syntax error" error message and does not work.

The following variables define the default environment. The variables, when set to TRUE, enlarge the scope of the environment setting and have the following meanings:

AllowWildCards = TRUE - Enable wildcard support for some commands (such as the del command).

AllowAllPaths = TRUE - Allows access to all files and folders on the computer.

AllowRemovableMedia = TRUE - Allow files to be copied to removable media, such as a floppy disk.

NoCopyPrompt = TRUE - Do not prompt when overwriting an existing file.

To see the current settings for the environment, type set without parameters at a command prompt.
Vishal Gupta
Sep 17, 2005 at 7:36 PM
I hv enabled both "Automatic administrator login" and "Access to floppy copy and all files and folders" options in gpedit.msc already.

I found two entries for both in registry too.
In HKLM\Softwares\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Setup\Recovery Console.
Here also two DWORD values exist for automatic admin logon and to access all files and folders. And both r set to 1.

But still Recovery console doesnt allow to access all files and folders, though it automatically login me as administrator.
R
Sep 17, 2005 at 7:47 PM
Had u set the variables in above said value?
Vishal Gupta
Sep 17, 2005 at 7:49 PM
If i set them in recovery console, they work.
But what i want is to set them automatically, so that each time i enter into recovery console, they r set automatically to TRUE...
R
Sep 17, 2005 at 8:45 PM
Mark it with automatically to TRUE.And i dont think
we can set them set them automatically.