How to fix this issue of not being able to "Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file.." for windows preinstalled and custome installed app too.

Question

First, this issue is somewhat not reproducible because it is generated randomly in my system, and I don't know how. But I have a hunch about how it was created. So before I explain how I got into this issue, let me provide some context. A few weeks ago, I was having an issue with a script that I created in Task Scheduler, and it seems I used an incorrect event ID. This script was running every few seconds on my laptop, which annoyed me, so I disabled the scheduled task. But even then, the issue of the terminal popping up remained constant, so I directly deleted the task. However, it didn't get fixed, so I deleted the script itself. But the issue persisted, so I took some help from GPT-4, Claude, and later found out it was itself hidden, and since the file was not being found, it was closing and opening. This was the start of the problem.

The next issue that came up was the Task Manager asking for administrator permission. So from the Microsoft community, I used a registry script mentioned by a user, which actually worked.

After doing this, the Task Manager error was fixed, but a new issue arose. I also had a system update, I think, but I'm not sure. I then found out that my Windows had pre-installed some apps like Notepad, Paint, Terminal (having an issue with not having proper permission, and it's exiting me out of PowerShell 7.3, not the Windows PowerShell).

I asked GPT, and it said the error is due to not having proper permission to execute and run PowerShell commands, and a few other apps that I installed like Ditto (clipboard), Greenshot (screenshot application), PhoneLink, NanaZip, and the built-in ScreenSnitch App for screenshots. However, some apps like Camera, WhatsApp, and Games are still working fine.

Now you understand this issue, and this error itself is not letting the apps start on startup, as I get bombarded with 5-10 applications that run at startup, all getting failed due to the permission issue. The reason why I'm saying it's different from other errors shown on YouTube or Reddit solutions is because those errors are caused by some third-party installation software, which you can fix by changing the property security. But in my case, this error is happening only when executed from the Task Manager and the Start menu option. If you run these same applications from AppData > WindowsApps > App, then they will run, or if you run them as an administrator from the menu option of Windows, they work fine.

I also found out that it's an issue with this account's permission, not with the system, since I created another admin account, and it's working normally. However, my current account has important work settings that I don't want to lose, and I have made some tweaks over the years.

NOTE: Yes, my account is an admin by default. I have also tried taking ownership of the WindowsApps folder with and without inheritance, but it doesn't work. Please let me know how to fix this, and this is the error it is showing in the Event Viewer.

Answer 1

Hi Sourabh Kushwah,

Thanks for your post. The error 0x80070005 occurs when the system or user lacks the required files or permissions to change settings at the time of the Windows update.

Here is some troubleshooting that might fix this problem.

Solution 1

Check if doesn't have any corrupt files on the windows.

1-Right-Click on Start then click on Windows Powershell (admin)

2- Type these commands. sfc /scannow (and press Enter) Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth (and press Enter) Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth (and press Enter)

3- The DISM tool will report whether the image is healthy, repairable, or non-repairable. If the image is repairable, you can use the /RestoreHealth (Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth) argument to repair the image.

Solution 2

It might be that something went wrong with the update files itself. Clearing the folder where all of the update files are stored will force Windows Update to download fresh files. Here how to clear update database cache, reset windows update components to the default setup.

1-Press Windows + R, type services.msc and ok to open windows services.

2-Scroll down and look for windows update service.

3-Right-click on it and select stop.

4-Also, do the same with BITs (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) and Superfetch (superfetch now called sysmain) right-click and select stop.

5-Now Go to the following location C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download.

6-Delete everything inside the download folder, but do not delete the folder itself. To do so, press CTRL + A to select everything and then press Delete to remove the files. Again open windows services and restart the services (windows update, BITS) which you previously stopped.

7-Reboot and try again

Solution 3

Reinstall the Microsoft Store.

1-Right click on Start.

2-Click on Windows PowerShell(admin)

3-Type: Get-AppXPackage -allusers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"} and press ENTER.

4-Reboot your pc and try open the Microsoft Store.

Solution 4

If none of the procedures fix the problem, you can perform the repair upgrade using the Media Creation tool, this procedure will repair all Windows files.

1-Download the media creation tool. https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=691209

2-Run the tool and select 'Upgrade this pc now'

3-Select the option 'Keep all my files and apps'

4-Then click to update.

Best Regards,

Ian Xue

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