Full control permissions grant a user complete authority over a specific resource, like a file, folder, application, or system setting. It fundamentally differs from limited permissions (such as 'read-only' or 'modify') by encompassing every possible action: viewing, opening, changing, deleting, renaming, and crucially, the power to alter the permissions granted to other users for that same resource. Essentially, full control provides unrestricted power over the resource's existence and access rules.

Administrators typically require full control over critical system components to install software or configure security policies within an organization's IT infrastructure. In collaborative platforms like SharePoint, a document library owner might possess full control to manage files and define who else can access or edit them, while most users have restricted 'edit' or 'view' rights appropriate to their roles. This concept is vital in operating systems (Windows NTFS permissions), cloud storage (Azure RBAC), and database management.

The primary advantage is the administrative power needed for effective management and troubleshooting. The major limitation is the significant security risk; misuse or compromise of a full control account can lead to catastrophic data loss or security breaches. Ethically, assigning full control demands careful trust verification and strict adherence to the principle of least privilege. Future developments emphasize stricter audit controls and just-in-time privileged access to reduce constant exposure.