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Fix: You Have Been Denied Permission to Access This Folder

Changing the ownership of the folder is a quick way around this

11 min. read

Updated onAugust 16, 2024

updated onAugust 16, 2024

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In order to protect your files from unauthorized access, Windows 10 canlock certain folders. This means that some folders are inaccessible for certain non-administrator users.

Users reportedYou have been denied permission to access this foldermessage, and here we’re going to show you how to fix it.

What can I do if I don’t have permission to access this folder?

1. Change the ownership of the folder

As we already mentioned, many folders are protected by Windows, and you can’t access them without certain privileges.

However, by changing the folder ownership, you can fixYou have been denied permission to access this foldermessage.

After taking ownership of the folder, you should be able to access it without any problems.

2. Modify yourregistry

Modifying theregistrycan be risky, so before you make any changes, we advise you to back up yourregistryjust in case.

If you’re getting You have been denied permission to access this foldermessage, you can fix it by changing the ownership of that folder using your registry.

3. Use TakeOwnershipEx

Unlike the previous solution, this one offers a way to restore ownership, which can be useful if trying to access any system file.

If you’re not comfortable modifying yourregistryand want to use a third-party tool to fixYou have been denied permission to access this foldermessage. Feel free to use this simple tool.

4. Close Shared Folder Sessions

Several users reported that you have been denied permission to access this folder issue occurs even after changing ownership settings. If that’s the case, you might have to close Shared Folder Sessions.

5. Try using a different explorer application

If you’re gettingYou have been denied permission to access this foldermessage, you might want to try using a different explorer application.

File Explorer is the default application for file access in Windows 10. However, it is not free from issues like frequent crashes and the inability to open some folders.

Hence, we suggest that you download Q-Dir. Simply download and run this portable application and try accessing the folder using this tool.

6. Copy the folder to a different location

You can try a simple workaround if you can’t access a folder because you have been denied permission to access this folder message.

According to users, you can copy the folder to a different location and try it access it from there. This might not be the best solution, but it works according to users, so try it out.

7. Use Command Prompt to access files

You have been denied permission to access this foldermessage can prevent you from accessing certain folders, but there’s a way to circumvent this issue.

According to users, you can access any folder on yourPCsimply by using Command Prompt as administrator. You only need to press theWindowskey, typecmdand select theRun as administratoroption under Command Prompt.

AfterCommand Promptstarts, you can access and copy files from the problematic folder.

8. Create a new group and add your user account to it

According to some users, they fixed you have been denied permission to access this folder issue simply by creating a new group and giving ownership of the folder to the new group.

After creating a new group, you need to change the ownership of the problematic folder. You can do that simply by following the steps fromSolution 1. Remember that you need to enter the group’s name while changing the ownership instead of your username.

In addition, if you seeReplace all existing inheritable permissions on all descendants with inheritable permissions from this objectoption while changing the ownership, be sure to select it.

Fix – You have been denied permission to access this folder USB

1. Connect your USB flash drive to a differentPC

Many users reported that they are gettingYou have been denied permission to access this foldermessage while trying to access certain folders on removable storage.

If you have the same problem, we advise you to connect the problematicUSB flash driveto a differentPC. After that, create a copy of the problematic folder and delete the original.

Rename the copy, and connect the flash drive back to yourPC. After doing that, the issue will be resolved, and you should be able to access that folder.

2. Use xcopy command

If you can’t access a folder on your USB flash drive due to this error, we suggest that you try using the xcopy command.

This is a bit advanced process, so before you can perform it, we advise you to research and learn how to use xcopy command.

In addition, you’ll need to use this command from Command Prompt. We already explained how to start Command Prompt as an administrator in one of our previous solutions, so be sure to check it out.

3. Uninstall the USB driver

According to users, they fixedYou have been denied permission to access this foldermessage simply by uninstalling their USB device driver.

Now you need to connect your USB flash drive to a different port on yourPC. After doing that, Windows 10 will automatically install the necessary drivers, and the issue will be fixed.

4. Make sure that you’re authenticated

Users reportedYou have been denied permission to access this foldermessage on certainHPcomputers. According to them, they cannot access their USB flash drive until they are properly authenticated.

To do that, you need to click the HP icon in the lower right corner and follow the authentication process. This is a security measure on some HP computers, and if you own an HP PC, we advise you to try this solution.

5. Change the security settings

If you’re having this issue on your HP computer, you might be able to solve it by changing the security settings.

This fixedYou have been denied permission to access this foldermessage for some users on theirHPcomputers. So, you might want to try this solution out.

6. UninstallHPsoftware

TheHPsoftware can often interfere with your USB flash drive and prevent you from accessing it. If you’re gettingYou have been denied permission to access this foldermessage on yourHPcomputer, you can solve it by removingHPsoftware.

7. Change the ownership of the drive

You have been denied permission to access this folderis an ownership issue, and in most cases, you can fix it by changing the ownership. If you have this problem with your USB flash drive, we advise you to change the drive owner.

To do that, right-click your USB flash drive and chooseProperties. Now go to theSecuritytab and follow the steps from the first solution in this article.

After taking ownership of the desired drive, the issue should be resolved.

8. Use Partition Wizard software

According to users, you can fixYou have been denied permission to access this foldermessage simply by running Partition Wizard software. You need to run this software and let it scan your USB flash drive.

After doing that, close the application, and you should be able to access the USB drive without any problems.

Fix – You have been denied permission to access this folder no Security tab

1. Connect your drive to a differentPC

You might need to change your security permissions if you have a problem accessing certain folders due to the You have been denied permission to access this folder message.

We already explained how to do that in our previous solutions. However, some users reported missing the Security tab on theirPC.

This is an unusual problem, and if you have this issue, you might have to remove your hard drive or removable storage and connect it to a differentPC. After doing that, you should be able to access the files and make the necessary changes.

This is a workaround, but if you need to access your files urgently, try it out.

2. Use Command Prompt

SinceYou have been denied permission to access this foldermessage requires you to change your security permissions, you need to use the Settings tab.

Unfortunately, several users reported that this tab is missing on theirPC. However, this doesn’t have to be a major problem since you can take ownership of the folder from Command Prompt.

3. Change Group Policy settings

If you can’t find Settings tab inPropertieswindow, you might have to change Group Policy settings. This is a simple procedure.

After making the changes, the Security tab will become available and you should be able to access it and change the folder ownership.

You have been denied permission to access this foldermessage usually appears if you don’t have the necessary privileges to access a specific folder.

In most cases, you can fix this problem simply by changing the ownership of the folder or by removing the problematic apps.

If you are facing a similar issue inyou don’t have permission to open this file on Windows 10, check our detailed guide to fix it. Additionally, we can help you out if you encounter a pop-up saying “Unable to execute file in the temporary directory.“

Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you fix this issue in the comments below.

Fix: You Have Been Denied Permission to Access This Folder#

What can I do if I don’t have permission to access this folder?#

1. Change the ownership of the folder#

2. Modify yourregistry#

3. Use TakeOwnershipEx#

4. Close Shared Folder Sessions#

5. Try using a different explorer application#

6. Copy the folder to a different location#

7. Use Command Prompt to access files#

8. Create a new group and add your user account to it#

Fix – You have been denied permission to access this folder USB#

1. Connect your USB flash drive to a differentPC#

2. Use xcopy command#

3. Uninstall the USB driver#

4. Make sure that you’re authenticated#

5. Change the security settings#

6. UninstallHPsoftware#

7. Change the ownership of the drive#

8. Use Partition Wizard software#

Fix – You have been denied permission to access this folder no Security tab#

1. Connect your drive to a differentPC#

2. Use Command Prompt#

3. Change Group Policy settings#