'Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permission to access the item.' You may receive the exact error while you are trying to start a program or open a file on your Windows computer. Method 1: Gain the permission to access the folder. You can try claiming the permission from your computer to access the file. To do so: 1) Right click the problem folder and select Properties. 2) Click the Security tab, and then click Edit. 3) Click the Add button. 4) Type “Everyone” in the box under Enter the object name to select. Then click OK.
So i was googling to fix this problem, seen a post here that is still unresolved and I just wanted to post some additional info regarding the problem, maybe we can fix itFacts:-Past Windows 7 Installation, upgraded to 10, this problem only existed when i upgraded to Windows 10 so no clean install on empty drive, i upgraded with the notification popup on the taskbar-I am the only PC user AND/OR admin-UAC is turned all the way down (off, no notifications)-Windows is Up to dateScreenshot of Error. Go into c:windowssystem32 and scroll down to the file cmd.exe then right click it. Choose RunAs Administrator then when the Command form pops up, at the prompt, typenet user Administrator /active:yesand hit the Enter key.Sign out and log in as Administrator and you will have sufficient permissions to delete the file or to take ownership of it.Hey there, thanks for the answer, i added the command in cmd as admin and it said the command was done properlyBut my computer has no Sign Out button, only Sleep, Shut Down and Restart as i am single user what should i do in this case?
Go into c:windowssystem32 and scroll down to the file cmd.exe then right click it. Choose RunAs Administrator then when the Command form pops up, at the prompt, typenet user Administrator /active:yesand hit the Enter key.Sign out and log in as Administrator and you will have sufficient permissions to delete the file or to take ownership of it.Hey there, thanks for the answer, i added the command in cmd as admin and it said the command was done properlyBut my computer has no Sign Out button, only Sleep, Shut Down and Restart as i am single user what should i do in this case?When you click on 'Start', click on your profile picture (the 2nd up above the power symbol). That will give you the option to sign out. Go into c:windowssystem32 and scroll down to the file cmd.exe then right click it.
Choose RunAs Administrator then when the Command form pops up, at the prompt, typenet user Administrator /active:yesand hit the Enter key.Sign out and log in as Administrator and you will have sufficient permissions to delete the file or to take ownership of it.Hey there, thanks for the answer, i added the command in cmd as admin and it said the command was done properlyBut my computer has no Sign Out button, only Sleep, Shut Down and Restart as i am single user what should i do in this case?When you click on 'Start', click on your profile picture (the 2nd up above the power symbol). That will give you the option to sign out.Indeed there is an option on my profile portrait, never noticed it!
Will try now. I probably use that route to a problem at least twice a week and have never known a system where the System Administrator account is password protected so I'm afraid I'm out of ideas. How did the taking ownershp go? It's a right click on the filename, then PropertiesSecurity tabAdvanced buttonOwner.It's ok i removed the password because i was admin on my current user anyway, but i really did not want to set up a new account, i tried to go to the properties of C and on the security tab everyone had FULL CONTROL so i don't see any reason to create this new user, i will be removing it i guess, let me see if i sorted the problem though. It seems I have found the solution, source:Here is how I solved my issue -1. On the root folder (In my case, program files), right click, select properties, select security tab.2.
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Click Advanced3. The window that pops up should show the current owner.
Click 'Change.' The 'Select User or Group' pop up box appears.4. In the text box, type in your current user name (you should be an admin), and hit the 'Check Names' button. Your name will be replaced with the 'official' system name (i.e.,preceded by computer name and back slash).5.
The box disappears, sending you back to the Advanced Security Settings window.7. A new tick box appears below owner, with the text 'Replace owner on subcontainers and objects' Select this tick box.8. I also selected the tick box 'Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries from this object', but I think I had to run this twice - once with this box ticked and once without.9.
Make sure that 'everyone' appears on the Permission entries window, if not, click add. The same box that appears in step 4 shows up again. Type everyone, click 'Check Names' and then 'OK'9.
Hit applyI also see that the folder ownership can be changed to 'everyone' - I haven't tried changing all my folder owners to this, but doing so might eliminate this issue altogether if the drive is moved to a different computer. The admin separation(only elevating users when required) has been a thing on Windows for a while(I think since Vista). It is a feature to limit damage when a user runs something they should not(this was a source of MANY XP system infections with malware and other unwanted junk). While XP had the ability to have users with less permissions, no one used it.I am not going to argue if it is good or bad. It just is what it is.For users who do not want to change the folder permissions, any program running as admin can edit and save.You can hit start and search for notepad.
When it shows up, hold right Ctrl + Shift and hit Enter. You will get a UAC prompt about running it in admin. Say YesYou can also right click any program and select Run as Administrator.
These elevated permission programs will be able to write in most, but not all folders.
Windows cannot access the specified Device, path or fileThis issue is usual one which occurs in all the computer when you have enabled networked shared in local computers. I have found the solution after facing this specified issue in many computers.
Steps to fix windows cannot access the specified device path or files.Step 1: Go to my computer and select the drive you have shared in local network.Step 2: Right click on the drive and click properties.Step 3: Now a pop-up will appear there click on security tab then you can find like below image. Windows cannot access the specified device, file or path 5Step 6: finally click OK, apply and Ok.Now wait for few sec and check your network folder and click on the drive most probably this issue will be fixed. If you face the same issue even after doing the above steps simply disable your firewall in your antivirus or windows firewall in your computer and check again.There is no any other solutions other than these above methods to fix the windows cannot access the specified device path or file issue.
If you have done all the above steps still facing the same issues your computer may effected with virus some of the registry have removed by virusesThanks: Commentscomments.