Task Scheduler Error 0x80070005: Access is denied.

Question

This error is popping up when I try to schedule a Disk Cleanup in the Task Scheduler on a Sager laptop running Windows XP SP3 in a corporae environment. (Screenshot link)

Corporate IT had this to say when I asked about the issue:

The disk cleanup error is odd.  We did not build the image for those machines; they are the actual sager install, so I don’t know why you would not be to run it.

Sorry there's not more explanation to the error - I just follow these steps and it pops up when I finish setting up the scheduled task.

If anyone has troubleshooting suggestions I'll give them a shot.  I'm annoyed by not being able to automate my weekly cleanmgr and defrag (same error when I try to schedule that).

I can run Disk Cleanup as usual from the Start menu. 

---

"We're all in it together, kid." - Harry Tuttle, Heating Engineer

Answer 1

I've run into this on our network - it is a leftover effect from IT Admins who locked down the system to stop conficker.  Among other things, many windows directories (including the tasks folder) and registry entries had write privs removed for *all* users.  Try this:

1. install subinacl - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=e8ba3e56-d8fe-4a91-93cf-ed6985e3927b&displaylang=en

2a) Vista -

cd /d "%programfiles%\Windows Resource Kits\Tools"

subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f /grant=users=r /grant=everyone=r /grant=restricted=r /setowner=administrators

subinacl /keyreg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f /grant=users=r /grant=everyone=r /grant=restricted=r /setowner=administrators

subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CURRENT_USER /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f /grant=restricted=r /grant=YOURUSERNAME=f /setowner=administrators

subinacl /keyreg HKEY_CURRENT_USER /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f /grant=restricted=r /grant=YOURUSERNAME=f /setowner=administrators

subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f /grant=users=r /setowner=administrators

subinacl /keyreg HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f /grant=users=r /setowner=administrators

subinacl /subdirectories %programfiles%\ /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f /grant=users=e

subinacl /subdirectories %windir%\ /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f /grant=users=e

2b) Win XP -

cd /d "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Resource Kits\Tools"

subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f

subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CURRENT_USER /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f

subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f

subinacl /subdirectories %SystemDrive% /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f

subinacl /subdirectories %windir%\*.* /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f

secedit /configure /cfg %windir%\repair\secsetup.inf /db secsetup.sdb /verbose

This should get you going.  References:

http://www.eggheadcafe.com/software/aspnet/31369811/error-80070005.aspx

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/astebner/archive/2006/09/04/739820.aspx

Answer 2

Because of the discovered potential for task run abuses by malware, Microsoft has deemed that all scheduled tasks must be run with password-protected administrative-level accounts only on Windows XP machines.

You MUST set up and use a password for the administrator account that you wish to run the task from.

When prompted during setting up the scheduling, enter the password that you have set up for your administrator account to complete the scheduling properly.  This should resolve your problem.

As you mention, you can run the task manually (instead of running it by scheduling in task manager,) without a password-protected administrative account.

You can easily test this by setting up the password on the administrator account and scheduling the task (defrag, backup, etc.)  IF the task will not run manually, you should pursue additional issues which may be preventing the scheduling as well, though you will not likely encounter the same error code you posted, which is relative to the password-protected issue solely (as far as my informal research has indicated.)

Paul Arel, MCSE, Fast Teks Onsite Computer Services

Answer 3

Maybe the following article would be worth a look:

(904423) You may receive an “0x80070005:

Access is denied" error message when you

create a scheduled task on a Windows XP-

based computer after you install security

update 841873

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/904423

Thanks for the suggestion.  I obtained and appliedthe KB but it seems to be pre-SP3, so I got a message that the update is not needed.

So I'm still looking for a fix.

FWIW, the Admin said:

I double checked the admins on that machine and it has you listed as an admin.  I also am getting the same error message on it trying to set up a scheduled task. 

We'll see if he can find the problem when he stops by tomorrow.

---

"We're all in it together, kid." - Harry Tuttle, Heating Engineer

============================

Sorry...I thought it was worth a try.

BTW...the download page for the hotfix states it is for

Windows XP SP3...apparently you already had the update.

Good luck finding the fix.

---

John Inzer - MS-MVP - Digital Media Experience - Notice_This is not tech support_I am a volunteer - Solutions that work for me may not work for you - ***Proceed at your own risk***

Answer 4

Maybe the following article would be worth a look:

(904423) You may receive an “0x80070005:

Access is denied" error message when you

create a scheduled task on a Windows XP-

based computer after you install security

update 841873

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/904423

Thanks for the suggestion.  I obtained and appliedthe KB but it seems to be pre-SP3, so I got a message that the update is not needed.

So I'm still looking for a fix.

FWIW, the Admin said:

I double checked the admins on that machine and it has you listed as an admin.  I also am getting the same error message on it trying to set up a scheduled task. 

We'll see if he can find the problem when he stops by tomorrow.

---

"We're all in it together, kid." - Harry Tuttle, Heating Engineer

Answer 5

This error is popping up when I try to schedule a Disk Cleanup in the Task Scheduler on a Sager laptop running Windows XP SP3 in a corporae environment. (Screenshot link)

Corporate IT had this to say when I asked about the issue:

The disk cleanup error is odd.  We did not build the image for those machines; they are the actual sager install, so I don’t know why you would not be to run it.

Sorry there's not more explanation to the error - I just follow these steps and it pops up when I finish setting up the scheduled task.

If anyone has troubleshooting suggestions I'll give them a shot.  I'm annoyed by not being able to automate my weekly cleanmgr and defrag (same error when I try to schedule that).

I can run Disk Cleanup as usual from the Start menu. 

---

"We're all in it together, kid." - Harry Tuttle, Heating Engineer

================================

Maybe the following article would be worth a look:

(904423) You may receive an “0x80070005:

Access is denied" error message when you

create a scheduled task on a Windows XP-

based computer after you install security

update 841873

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/904423

---

John Inzer - MS-MVP - Digital Media Experience - Notice_This is not tech support_I am a volunteer - Solutions that work for me may not work for you - ***Proceed at your own risk***