Access files set up in XP via Windows 8.1.

The thread topic maybe a bit misleading but what I want is this.

I had a tower PC that used XP and three members of the family had there own docs under their own user names, however the motherboard died.

I took out the hard drive and linked it to a new laptop that uses Windows 8.1.

But now I cant/dont have permissions to even get to even my own docs (XP), how do I do this?

you probably don't have the file permissions needed so just need to take ownership of the file/drive, this link should help :- http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2808-take-ownership-file-folder-drive-registry-key-windows-8-a.html

another option is to use a linux live cd to copy the files from the xp drive to your win 8.1 drive, then you'll have the needed file permissions anyway.