---
title: 'User access to folders'
description: 'How MediaLab''s permission system controls which folders and features each user can access through user levels, groups and user flags.'
url: https://www.medialab.co/support/account/roles-permissions/user-access-to-folders
---

# User access to folders

MediaLab includes a fine-grained permission system that controls user access to both **media** and **features**.

### Owners, Administrators, and Media Managers

- These roles have **unrestricted access** to all content and all management features.
- Their access cannot be limited to specific folders or features.
- Use caution when assigning the **Administrator** role, as admins can manage users and delete media.

### Uploaders and Regular Users

- By default, these roles have **no access** to media or features.
- Access must be explicitly granted through **groups** and **permissions**.

#### Access to Media (via Groups)

1. Go to **Settings → Groups**.
2. Create a group (e.g., _External press_).
3. Add users to the group.
4. Select the folders (root or subfolders) the group can access.
   - Example: A top-level folder _Press_ with subfolders for individual press agencies.
   - Subfolders require access to the parent folder — access cannot be granted to a subfolder alone.
5. Users can be members of multiple groups, inheriting access from all of them.

_Administrators and owners do not need group membership — they automatically have access to all media._

#### Access to Features (via User Flags)

- By default, regular users can **view media** only.
- Uploaders can **upload new content**.
- Additional feature access (e.g., sharing, editing) can be granted through **user flags**.