"Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file . You may not have the appropriate permissions to access them"' With Admin account

Question

Hello 

I have been receiving below error when I try to open a file on an external SSD .

"Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file . You may not have the appropriate permissions to access them"'

I am accessing this file with my own-admin account with which the file was downloaded .

I have granted full access to myself but still doesn't help.

No blocking from antivirus .

Please help to resolve .

Thanks !

Answer 1

Greg ,

I appreciate your prompt response . I have tried the above except "Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: "

The issue still there .

Answer 2

Hi Pavan. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 9 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

You can try taking Ownership of the drive's folders: https://www.askvg.com/add-take-ownership-option...

You can also move the data off the drive and wipe it with Diskpart Clean Command, then reformat in Disk Mgmt:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk...

https://www.pcworld.com/article/248980/how-to-p...

If you have lost Admin rights then try these steps leading up to if necessary creating a new Local Account which sometimes is the only way to escape Account Corruption in Windows 10:

Right click Start button to open Run box, copy and paste in netplwiz, press Enter.

Highlight your account, then click Properties, then Group Membership tab. click on Administrator, then Apply, OK, restart PC.

If that doesn't help then try this: https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-lost-administrati...

If nothing helps try creating a new Local Admin Account to sign into to see if it works: http://www.howtogeek.com/226540/how-to-create-a...

If you can't get the rights to do this then use whichever method works here to enable the hidden Built-in Administrator to be used only in emergencies: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2969-enable...

It may be necessary to create Windows 10 Installation Media on another PC to access the Command Prompt without needing a password: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered. If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first.

After it loads, on second screen, choose Repair Your Computer, then Advanced Startup Options, first try System Restore to a point before this. If that fails then choose Command Prompt to follow the step above to access Built-in Admin Account.

Sign into Hidden Admin account, see if you can use netplwiz now to elevate the account. If not try another of these methods: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-change-user-...

If not then set up a new Local Admin Account, sign into it, move your files over, set it up, hide the Hidden Admin Account, when ready delete the old account in Settings > Accounts > Family and Other Users.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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