In Windows 7 and Windows Vista, there is a Security tab on the Properties dialog box for files and folders, allowing you to easily change permissions of files and folders.
However, this Security tab is not available on the Properties dialog box for files and folders in Windows XP. To change permissions in Windows XP Professional, you need to disable simple file sharing. In Windows XP Home Edition, you have to boot into Safe mode to be able to change permissions.
If you manage a network or you need to frequently change permissions on files and folders, there is an easier method for changing file and folder permissions in Windows XP. Security Tab Fixer is a free utility that adds the Security tab to the Properties dialog box for files and folders, and also allows you to remove it again.
Download Security Tab Fixer from
http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Security-Tab-Fixer-Download-130599.html.
Security Tab Fixer does not require installation. Simply double-click the .exe file you downloaded.
The Open File – Security Warning dialog box may display. If so, click Run to continue. When we downloaded the file, we scanned it for viruses and found it to be clean and the file ran fine when we double-clicked on it.
On the Security Tab Fixer dialog box that displays, click the Enable Tab button.
The Status at the bottom of the dialog box should say Enabled now. To close the Security Tab Fixer dialog box, click the X button in the upper, right corner of the dialog box.
To access the security settings for a file or folder, right-click on a file or folder and select Properties from the popup menu.
The Security tab is now available with all of the standard security settings found in Windows 7 and Windows Vista.
To hide the Security tab on the Properties dialog box for files and folders, double-click again on the Security Tab Fixer .exe file and click the Disable Tab button.
Security Tab Fixer is a very useful, free utility if you must change file and folder permissions often in Windows XP.
by Lori Kaufman
You know it's also available in safemode by default. not that you need to use it but just fyi
It doesn't work. Windows XP Home, SP3.