Difference Between NTFS Permissions and Share Permissions

NTFS Permissions vs Share Permissions

Permissions control who can do what to which file or folder in a modern file system. NTFS stands for New Technology File System, which is a new file system from the software giant Microsoft. The main difference between NTFS permissions and share permissions is the location of the person that is affected by either one. NTFS permissions apply to local users or those who has physical access to the machine. Share permissions apply only to folders and files that have been shared to the network. When accessing the shared folders from another computer, share permissions apply.

To protect the computer from unauthorized executions of applications, NTFS permissions include the option to disallow the execution of applications. This is separate to read operations and users can still read the file but not execute it. Share permissions lack the said control as executing the application would not result in it launching in the computer where it is stored. The only way to prevent the execution of applications in the shared folder is to disallow read access in the first place.

Once you have installed an operating system that uses NTFS, all files and folders have NTFS permissions, although a huge majority of the files have their permissions set to full control. Once the administrator has created new accounts on the system, it is only a matter of modifying the permissions that are already there. On a freshly installed operating system, no shares are defined and therefore no share permissions exist. Users need to share their folders first before they can define the permissions that govern the share. Even when set-up only a few folders and files are shared on the network while most are kept private.

NTFS and share permissions are very important in securing your computer and the files that are contained therein. These two work hand in hand and users do not need to choose one over the other when considering how to secure your files. Employing both permission types should allow the user greater control on who gets to do what on and off the said computer.

Summary:

NTFS permissions apply to the users who locally use the machine while share permissions apply only to users who remotely access the machine from a remote terminal

NTFS permissions can control whether the a user or a group is able to execute programs while share permissions do not

All folders have NTFS permissions while only a select few have share permissions

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