---
locale: "en"
updated_at: "2026-07-08T14:39:08.538Z"
canonical: "https://www.isdecisions.com/en/fileaudit/docs/reference/core-concepts/permissions-properties-snapshots"
---

# Permissions and properties snapshots

What a snapshot captures: object properties, NTFS permissions, statuses, and storage

## What a snapshot is

A snapshot is a point-in-time capture of the properties and permissions of the files and folders in your audited paths. FileAudit scans the paths you have defined and stores the result in the database, so you can review permissions and properties as they were at the moment of the scan.

A path must be scanned before its data can appear in a snapshot. Permission reports such as [Simple permissions](/fileaudit/docs/reference/reporting#permission-reports) and [Advanced permissions](/fileaudit/docs/reference/reporting#permission-reports) rely on this captured data: **without a snapshot, there is nothing to display.**

![New scnapshot](https://a.storyblok.com/f/122374/1298x826/578fe0554f/new-snapshot.png)

A permissions snapshot does not list every object. Only the root of each configured path is shown in full:

- A child file or folder appears only when its permissions differ from its parent.
- An item absent from the snapshot has permissions identical to its parent.

**An absent item is not a gap in the scan. **It signals inherited, unchanged permissions.

## Object properties captured

Every snapshot includes the following object properties, regardless of whether permissions are included. These describe the file or folder itself, not its access rights.

| Property | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Size | Size of the file or folder |
| Attributes | File system attributes set on the object |
| Creation date | When the object was created |
| Last modified date | When the object content was last changed |
| Last access date | When the object was last accessed |

## Captured permissions

Including permissions in a snapshot is optional. When enabled, FileAudit captures NTFS permissions as they are defined in Windows File Explorer.

> **Note**
>
> ⚠️ **Important **
> 
> Retrieving permissions makes the scan longer and uses more database space. Include them only when you need them.

Permissions are captured at two levels of detail, simple and advanced. Each captured permission carries three common attributes:

- **Type**: whether the permission is Allow or Deny.
- **Inherited**: whether the permission is inherited from a parent object.
- **Owner**: the owner of the file or folder.

#### Simple permissions

- Full control
- Modify
- Read and execute
- List folder contents
- Read
- Write
- Special permissions

#### Advanced permissions

- Full control
- Traverse folder / execute file
- List folder / read data
- Read attributes
- Read extended attributes
- Create files / write data
- Create folders / append data
- Write attributes
- Write extended attributes
- Delete subfolders and files
- Delete
- Read permissions
- Change permissions
- Take ownership

## Snapshot statuses

The snapshot management page lists every snapshot with its status:

| Status | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| **Done** | The scan finished and the data is available. |
| **Running** | The scan is currently running. |
| **Pending** | The request is waiting for a running scan to finish before it starts. |

![Windows audit Snapshot](https://a.storyblok.com/f/122374/1298x826/f0d01aa606/windows-audit-snapshot.png)

FileAudit runs one snapshot at a time. Any snapshot requested while another is running is placed in a queue and starts automatically once the current one finishes.

## Storage impact

Each snapshot consumes space in the database, and snapshots that include permissions consume more. Plan retention accordingly on servers with many audited paths.

- For how snapshot data fits in the overall storage model, see [Database tables and fields](/fileaudit/docs/reference/database/tables-and-fields#permissions-and-snapshots) Reference.
- To generate, schedule, or automatically delete snapshots, see [Manage permissions and properties snapshots](/fileaudit/docs/guides/operations/manage-permissions-and-properties-snapshots) Guide.