Access Denied error when trying to install programs on second hard drive.

Question

Original Title: Access Denied

While I am installing programs on a second hard drive I get access denied errors. If I try to install them on the root drive I have no problems. How to I change settings on the root drive to allow me to install programs on my second drive?

Answer 1

Hi Grant214,

·        Are you using an external or internal hard drive as you second hard drive?

·        What is the complete error message?

Access denied error basically pops up when you do not have sufficient privileges to make the changes. I would suggest you to take ownership of the second hard drive and then try installing the programs on it and check if it helps:

Part I:

How to Take Ownership of files/folders in Windows 7:

Note: You should be logged on as an Administrator to take ownership of files/folders.

Part A:

a. Locate the file or folder or drive on which you want to take ownership in windows explorer.

b. Right click on file or folder and select “Properties” from Context Menu.

c. Click onSecuritytab**.**

d. Click on“Advanced”.

e. Now click on “Owner tab in Advance Security Settings” for User windows

f. Click on “Edit Button and select user” from given Change Owner to list if user or group is not in given list then click on other users or groups. Enter name of user/group and click ok.

g. Now select User/group and click apply and ok. (Check “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects” if you have files and folder within selected folder)

h. Click ok when Windows Security Prompt is displayed

i. Now Owner name must have changed.

j. Now clickOk to exit from Properties windows

Part II:

Once you havetaken the ownership of file or folder next part comes isGranting Permissions to that file/folder or object.

How to Grant Permissions in Windows 7:

a. Locate the file or folder on which you want to take ownership in windows explorer

b. Right click on file or folder and select “Properties” from Context Menu

c. Click onEdit button in Properties windows Click ok to confirm UAC elevation request.

d. Select user/group from permission windows or click add to add other user or group.

e. Now under Permission section check the rights which you want to grant i.e. check “Full Control” under the “Allow” column to assign full access rights control permissions to Administrators group.

f. Click Ok for changes to take effect and click ok final ok to exit from Properties window.

For more information: What are permissions?

Thanks and Regards, Santosh Y – Microsoft Support

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