Windows 10 can sometimes throw the Access is denied message if you try to make changes to your system files and folders. However, there are multiple ways to fix the access denied error in Windows 10, some of which don’t even require you to reboot your computer! In this guide, we’ll cover the best methods to troubleshoot and resolve the Access denied error in Windows 10 so that you can get back to using your computer as normal. How to fix the Access is denied message in Windows 10
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Entering your administrative password
The first thing you need to do if you get an access denied error when launching a program is open up your C:\Windows\System32 folder and locate SysWOW64. Inside that folder, you’ll find another folder named Microsoft. Open it up, then locate System, and finally Administrative Tools. If you don’t see Administrative Tools, look for it by typing administrative tools into your File Explorer search bar.
Clearing away some basic problems
The first thing you should do when you see an access-denied error on your computer is run a malware scan. If there are no malicious files present, then it’s most likely a permissions issue or bad download, so try restarting or re-downloading your software. However, if that doesn’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling your app—this typically solves all but severe issues with installation.
Run Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup is a handy, built-in utility that allows you to see what’s taking up space on your hard drive and get rid of it. To run Disk Cleanup: Click on Start , type cleanmgr in Start Search bar, then hit Enter key. A dialog box will appear asking if you want to perform maintenance on your computer. Select Clean up system files option, click OK button. Now click OK button again to start cleaning process. Wait for few minutes until disk cleanup completes its task and displays a dialog box with results like below screenshot shows. Check all items from list except Recycle Bin and Temporary Files items by selecting them one by one using Shift or Ctrl keys as shown in screenshot below.
Run Check Disk
Check Disk (chkdsk) is a utility that you can use when you want to scan your hard disk for and attempt recovery of bad sectors, lost clusters, or other disk errors. Chkdsk scans an MS-DOS file system, such as FAT or NTFS. It does not work on exFAT or ReFS partitions. To run chkdsk, at a command prompt type chkdsk [drive:][[path]filename]. For example, if drive C: has an error on it and you have no backup copies of any files on that drive, type chkdsk c: /f /r at a command prompt to check it for errors and repair it if possible.
Disable System Restore
One of your computer’s recovery tools, System Restore backs up important system files on a regular basis and makes them available for use if you ever experience a problem. Disabling System Restore prevents these files from being used; however, it also makes recovering from future issues more difficult. If you do choose to disable it, keep a current backup so that you can restore your system to its previous state if needed.
Run CHKDSK /F
Sometimes, when we try to access a file or folder on our computer and get an Access is denied error, it’s because that particular file or folder is damaged. To check for errors (and fix them), you can run CHKDSK from Command Prompt (or Disk Management). Open Command Prompt as administrator by right-clicking on its shortcut and choosing Run as administrator. In Command Prompt, type CHKDSK /F.
Update Your Drivers
Hardware drivers make up an important part of Windows, and it’s a good idea to make sure they’re all up-to-date. Click Start > Control Panel > Device Manager, or right-click on This PC and select Properties. Navigate through your hardware and look for items with an exclamation mark next to them—these are drivers that need updating. Driver update may solve issues such as Access is Denied errors on Windows 10.
How do I fix access denied on Windows 10?
After upgrading to Windows 10, some users reported that they were unable to access certain folders and files on their computer. If you’re receiving an access denied error, there are a few things you can try. Here’s how you can troubleshoot these issues and gain access again. …
How do I fix Access Denied?
If you’re receiving an Access Denied error when trying to access your computer’s shared files and folders, don’t worry—this issue is easy to fix! Here are a few troubleshooting steps that may help get you back up and running. If these simple solutions don’t do it for you, check out our Guide on How to Fix Permissions Problems on a Mac.
Why does my computer keep saying access denied?
The access denied error can occur for a few reasons. If you recently installed a program and you keep getting an access denied error, it’s likely because that program has not yet finished installing or it’s still accessing files. To resolve these issues try restarting your computer, checking on your internet connection or running programs again one at a time. This will help identify which program is causing your issues and allow you to address them accordingly.
How do I fix a command prompt that says access denied?
When you try to open a file or a folder on your computer, you get an Access is denied error. This problem can happen for many reasons and there are several solutions that might help you resolve it. If your problems aren’t fixed by any of these solutions, it’s time to contact Microsoft Support.
How do I run chkdsk Access Denied? How to fix the Access is denied message in Windows 10
chkdsk (short for check disk) is a command-line utility program. To run chkdsk, simply open a Command Prompt window, type chkdsk and press Enter. The format of the command line is as follows chkdsk [drive:][[path]filename] [/f]. If you do not specify a drive or path, then chkdsk will attempt to scan all hard drives and partitions on your computer. If you do not specify a filename, then it will scan all files on your hard drive.
How do I change permissions in Windows 10?
You can use File Explorer on your computer running Windows 10 to change file and folder permissions. Here’s how: Select a file or folder, then choose File > Properties. Under Security, select Edit. You will see a window with three tabs: Owner, Group, and Others. If you are changing permissions for a user other than yourself, log on as that user before you begin. On each tab, make sure that only one account is selected and click Remove.
