"Windows cannot access the specific device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item"

Question

"Windows cannot access the specific device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item". I don't know why this error keeps popping up or how I got it in the first place but it's starting to get annoying now. I've tried looking online for ways to get rid of the error but none of them have worked. I'm an administrator on my pc, my internet works just fine, there is no viruses on my pc, when I click on the properties there is no "Authenticated Users" permissions added, and no my antivirus isn't blocking anything in fact I can't even turn on windows defender.

I can't run/delete anything that's administrative because of this issue. I cannot run the system file checker because that requires administrative permissions as well . I also believe this error has also affected some of my setting options like e.g. my windows defender doesn't turn on at all and my computer doesn't allow me to do a full pc reset. My computer won't open up task manager or anything that requires administrative permissions even though I'm an admin on my own computer. I tried doing a recovery on this pc but it doesn't allow me to do that as well. What is going on? If anyone knows out to resolve this please help me out.

Answer 1

Sam, can you enable the built-in Administrator (used for emergencies only) to create a new Admin account to replace yours?

Enable the built-in Hidden Administrator used for emergencies from the Sign-In screen to sign into to create a new replacement account:

https://www.isumsoft.com/it/enable-hidden-admin...

These steps require bootable media which is the only repair method that doesn't require a password. If you don't want to have to do this, then you can try to Reset Windows 10 (saving only files) from the sign-in screen following this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zonjyd2L_GQ

To create Windows 10 Installation Media on another PC install Media Creation Tool and follow the directions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.... Uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

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

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.

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on second screen choose Repair Your Computer, then Advanced Troubleshoot Options, then Command Prompt to enable the built in Hidden Adminisrator:

https://www.isumsoft.com/it/enable-hidden-admin... Sign into this Administrator account by leaving password box blank.

Then create a new Local Admin account to replace yours:

https://www.isumsoft.com/windows-10/3-ways-to-c..., sign into the new account, test it works OK, move your files over at C:\Users

You can try to repair the old Account by running a Repair Install: by installing the Media Creation Tool from this link http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m... Choose Download Tool Now, Install the tool, open it and choose Upgrade this PC Now. This reinstalls WIndows while saving your files and apps in place; takes about an hour, resolves most problems. It also brings it to the latest version by the most stable method.

You can also delete the old account by one of these methods:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5464-delete...

You can then if desired change it to a MS Account: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5375-switch...

If that fails go back to Troubleshoot Options to try a Reset, saving files if needed.

And if that fails choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof.

Everything needed to get the best possible Clean Install is here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.... It is a better install than any amount of money can buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC because you will learn what works best and how to apply it with your own hands.

If you have files that aren't backed up you can use the same bootable media to try to rescue your files using these methods: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you will wait to choose if I solved your problem, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Answer 2

None of them worked. I tried the test Local admin account method and it would infinite load each time I tried. The repair install windows doesn't work because the tool requires admin permissions.

Answer 3

Sam -

Which Recovery method did you try?

Did you create a test Local Admin account to see if it resolves the problem? Account corruption is the most frequent reason for these problems.

If a new Local Account doesn't resolve it then try a Repair Install which reinstalls WIndows while saving your files and apps in place, brings it up to the latest version by the most stable method, takes about an hour, resolves most problems: https://www.yourwindowsguide.com/2016/06/how-to...

Keep me posted on your progress as I will be here to help until the case is resolved.

Answer 4

None of these methods have worked unfortunately.

Answer 5

Hi Sam. I'm Greg, awarded MVP for eleven years, Volunteer Moderator, and Independent Advisor here to help you until this is resolved.

Use whichever method works in this link to get into Repair Mode so you can do the necessary repairs or do a Reset: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

Easiest is to force shutdown by holding in the power button three times until it starts into Repair Mode. Once in the Repair Mode try the numbered steps below.

It may be necessary to create bootable media on another PC to access Advanced Startup Options to try repairs, a Reset or do the Clean install. The bootable media has it's own set of files so that repairs or Reset might work better, doesn't require a password, and you'll have it to if necessary do the vastly superior Clean Install.

To create Windows 10 Installation Media on another PC install Media Creation Tool and follow the directions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.... Uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

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

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.

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on second screen choose Repair Your Computer, then Advanced Troubleshoot Options, then:

1. Try a System Restore,
2. If that fails try Uninstall Updates,
3. Open the Command Prompt to:

a) run System File Checker: https://www.wintips.org/how-to-run-sfc-offline-...

b) run a full Disk Check: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/check-hard-dri...

c) Enable the built-in hidden Admin to sign into create a new Admin account to replace yours, as a last resort to save your install and apps, copy your files over:

https://www.isumsoft.com/it/enable-hidden-admin...

http://www.howtogeek.com/226540/how-to-create-a...

4. If those fail then go back to Troubleshoot Options to do a Reset.

If that fails choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof. Everything needed to get the best possible Clean Install is here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.... It is a better install than any amount of money can buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC because you will learn what works best and how to apply it with your own hands.

If you have files that aren't backed up you can use the same bootable media to try to rescue your files using these methods: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

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.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.