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Are you annoyed by the “Access Denied” error on your Windows 10 or 11 PC? We understand how frustrating it can be when you’re trying to complete a task as it gives you a sense of being stuck. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you quickly understand and fix the issue.
This problem usually arises when you attempt to open or edit a file on your computer. This could occur because your account doesn’t have permission to do that, or other difficulties with antivirus software, admin access, or account settings could cause it.
These issues can also cause Work Folder Sync Error 0x8007017c.
Suppose you’re trying to open an important app or check an important file, and instead, you get a message saying “Access Denied”. Many users face this issue, so, let’s figure out how to solve it together!
2 Easy Solutions to Fix the “Access Denied” Error
Are you in a hurry and need a quick solution for the “Access Denied” error? Let’s start with two easy fixes to help you regain access and get rid of that frustrating error.
1. Check the Filesystem’s Permissions
Permissions control who can access and modify files and folders on your computer. Follow
- Right-click on the troublesome file or folder.
- Select “Properties” from the appeared menu.
- To view the permissions, select the “Security” tab and then “Edit” button.
- Pick your username from the list, if your username isn’t there, add it manually.
- Put a tick in the box next to “Full control” under the “Permissions for User” and click “OK”.
2. Activate the Administrator Account Setting
Adding administrator privileges to your user account increases your computer’s functionality and eliminates access issues.
- Press ‘Windows + R’ keys to open “Run”. Now, type “userpasswords2” and press “OK”.
- In the User Accounts window, tick the box that says “Users must enter a username and password to use this computer”. If you don’t see this, skip to the next part.
- Choose your account and click “Properties”.
- Go to the “Group Membership” tab and select “Administrator”, then click on “Apply” and then “OK”.
- Restart your computer to see if the problem has been fixed.
3 Advanced Ways to Fix the “Access Denied” Windows Error
If the easy solutions didn’t work for you and you keep getting the “Access Denied” issue, let’s try some Advanced solutions to fix this error.
1. Activate the Administrator Account Hidden
Unlocking the hidden Administrator account gives you access to advanced settings and more power. Here are the steps to do it:
- Run Command Prompt as an administrator.
- To enable the hidden Administrator account, type:
net user administrator /active:yes.
- Log out and log in to the new Administrator account.
- Try using this new account to view or modify the issue files or folders.
2. Get File and Folder Ownership
Assuming ownership of the file or folder for complete control can help solve the error.
- To view the error in a file or folder, right-click on it.
- Navigate to the “Properties” and then select “Security”.
- Select “Advanced” to access the “Owner” tab.
- Click “Change”.
- Select “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects” for full access.
3. Turn Off the Third-Party Antivirus Program
The “Access Denied” issue might result from conflicts between system permissions and antivirus software. Disabling it for a while might be helpful.
- Look for your antivirus program’s icon in the system tray.
- Right-click on it, and choose “Disable” or “Turn Off”.
- If requested, confirm the action and ensure that the antivirus program is temporarily disabled.
- Check if the problem has been resolved.
And that’s all. In conclusion, fixing the “Access Denied” is quite simple and doesn’t require much technical knowledge. By following the simple and advanced solutions discussed in this article, we hope that you have regained control over your files and folders.
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