Folder Permissions driving me crazy! Please Help

[Razor61]

Hi
I have Windows Vista Home Premium and SP2.

Lately i have been having serious trouble accessing folders, deleting files, adding files to folders etc.
I keep getting access denied, administrator only etc.

I have tried unsuccessfully to assign Admin (Full Control) to folders however even though i tick the boxes and press "Apply" it doesn't do it and goes back to its original permissions.

Even if i create a new folder, i go and put files into it and i get Access Denied!

Can someone please talk me through what is happening.

I have several "users" showing in my folder properties under "Permissions" which are:-

Authenticated Users - Full Control - Not Inherited
Users (HomeLaptop\Users) - Full Control - Not Inherited
Administrators (HomeLaptop) - Full Control - C:\
SYSTEM - Full Control - C:\
Users (HomeLaptop\Users) - Read & Execute - C:\
Authenticated Users - Modify - C:\

I have this problem for all my folders everywhere.
No matter what i do to assign permissions to folders it won't let me.

I have UAC "off" as it's a pain in the backside keep allowing things everytime i do "everything" on the laptop.

Is there a way of just having Admin permissions - full control for every folder and file on the Windows Vista?
Why have Microsoft made it so difficult to use this operating system?

Thanks
Rich