5 Ways to Fix the “Access Denied” Error on Windows 11

If Windows 11 is locking you out of your own PC, it can be due to a multitude of reasons. Here are five of the most common causes.

Are you having trouble accessing specific files, directories, and folders on your Windows 11 computer? If so, you've likely seen an “Access Denied” error pop up when trying to browse your system. Experiencing this issue can be frustrating, especially if you are the sole owner of your PC and can't access your own files.

The "Access Denied" error happens when performing specific actions, including accessing, moving, copying, or deleting files and folders. In this article, we will show several ways to fix this error and why you keep getting it.

Why Are You Getting the “Access Denied” Error?

Access denied error is a common issue on Windows systems and indicates that you don’t have permission to view the file or folder. This is because your system has not granted access to the current user account you're currently using on your computer. Simply put, you are using an unauthorized account to access paths, folders, and files.

In some cases, ownership issues and file encryptions can also lead to this error. It is also possible that your third-party antivirus software has prohibited access. For example, some programs can mistake a genuine setup wizard to be a threat, which is usually a false positive detection.

Below are some common fixes for the “Access Denied” error in Windows 11.

Related: How to Fix the Windows Access Denied Error 0x80070005

How to Fix "Access Denied" Errors on Windows 11

So, how do you get your Windows 11 system back from the Access Denied errors? Here's how.

1. Set Your Account to Administrator

In most cases, the “Access Denied” errors can be fixed by making your user account the computer’s administrator. Here’s how you can set your account to admin:

1. Press Win + R to open Run. Type control userpasswords2 and click OK.
2. 
   On the User Accounts window, check the box beside Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer. If there's none, skip this step.
3. Then, select your account and click the Properties button below it.
4. Next, go to the Group Membership tab. Choose Administrator from the menu, then click Apply and OK.
5. 
   Restart your computer and see if it resolves the problem. Otherwise, move to the next step.

2. Disable Your Third-Party Antivirus Software

Antivirus software is necessary to keep your system safe and protected from threats and malicious actors. However, it can also cause various errors such as access denied issues and false threats. For example, many users have reported that they are receiving the “Access Denied” error when attempting to install certain apps and that the main reason is their security program.

Related: Is Microsoft Defender the Best Antivirus for Your PC?

To check if this is also your case, temporarily disable your third-party antivirus program and try to access or install the program. If the error does not appear, your anti-virus software is likely the cause, and you should consider another program to protect your computer. Otherwise, use Windows 11 built-in security program, Microsoft Defender.

If this does not solve the issue, move on to the next fix.

3. Check Your System's Permissions

This is a simple solution that you can try to ensure that your account has the proper access to the file or folder you are opening. Here’s how:

1. Locate the file, folder, or directory you are trying to access. Then, right-click on it and choose Properties from the menu.
2. Then, go to the Security tab and click the Editbutton.
3. Choose your username from the list and make sure to check the box beside Full control in the Allow column under the Permissions for User section. Then, click OK.
   

Note: If your username is not on the list, you have to add it manually and then change its permissions.

Related: How to Change App Permissions in Windows 10

4. Enable the Hidden Administrator Account

Your Windows 11 system has a hidden administrator account with more privileges than a regular account. You can enable this to access files, folders, and paths restricted to regular users. Follow the steps below to allow it:

1. Open Windows search by pressing Win + S.
2. Next, type CMD, right-click on the Command Prompt search result and click Run as administrator.
3. On the Command Prompt, run the following command: net user administrator /active: yes. This will unlock the administrator account.
4. 
   Log off the current account and switch to the newly enabled Administrator account. By using this account, you won’t run into access problems as this has more privileges than a normal admin account.
5. Once you're done with the Administrator account, log off and sign in to your main account again. Repeat steps 1 and 2, and type this command: net user administrator /active: no. This will disable the Administrator account.

Note: Switching back to your main account will cause the error to appear again. If you need to constantly access the files, use the hidden Administrator account to make the necessary changes to your system and fix the ownership or access problem.

5. Take Ownership of the File

As mentioned, the “Access Denied” error sometimes stems from ownership problems. If this is the cause of your issue, taking ownership of the file can instantly give you the access you need. Here’s how:

1. Locate the folder or file you want to access and right-click on it. Then, click Properties from the menu.
2. Go to the Security tab and click the Advanced button.
3. Next, look for the Owner section on the top of the window and click Change. This will open a new dialogue box.
4. 
   In the Select User or Group window, type your username or Administrators in the Enter the object name field.
5. 
   Then, click the Check Names button and the OK button to save the changes you made.
6. 
   Next, check the box beside Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries from this object. If this isn't available, skip this step.
7. Lastly, click Apply and OK to save changes.

Apart from doing it manually, you can also take ownership of the file using the command prompt. Follow the steps below if you prefer typing commands instead.

1. Open Command Prompt through Windows search by pressing Win + S and typing CMD. Click the Command Prompt from the result.
2. In the command Prompt, type or paste the following command and press Enter after each:
   • takeown /f "path_to_folder" /r /d y
   • icacls "path_to_folder" /grant administrators:F /

Note: You need to replace the “path_to_folder” section with the actual path to the inaccessible file or folder.

Restart your computer once you’re done with the steps above to check if the problem is resolved. But usually, after running these commands, you should have access to the files and folders.

Restricted Access No More

Resolving the “Access Denied” error is straightforward and does not require a lot of technical steps. By taking ownership and granting permission to the user, you can get past this issue. Essentially, you need to access the files and folders with the system’s Administrator account, and you’re good to go. Or, use the admin account to change the ownership to your main account. It’s all up to you.

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