"Windows cannot access the specified device,
path, or file" error when you try to install,
update or start a program or file
Applies to: Windows 7 EnterpriseWindows 7 Home BasicWindows 7 Home Premium
Symptoms
When you try to install, update or start a program or a file, you receive the following error
message:
Error: Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the
appropriate permission to access the item
Resolution
To resolve this issue, follow the steps in the methods below starting with method 1, if that
method does not resolve the issue continue to the next method.
Method 1: Check the permission of the file or folder
Note Make sure you are an Administrator or you are part of the Domain Admins group if you are
in a domain.
Permissions are rules associated with files that determine if you can access the file and what you
can do with it. To check the permission of the file or folder, follow these steps:
1. Right-click the file or folder, and then select Properties.
2. Select the Security tab.
3. Under Group or User names, click your name to see the permissions you have. (The
screen shot for this step is listed below).
4. Select Edit, and then select to check the check boxes for the permissions that you need,
and then select OK. (The screen shot for this step is listed below).
For more information on permissions, see What are permissions?
Method 2: Check the file location
You might get this error if the shortcut or installation is attempting to access a location that is not
currently available such as a networked or a removable drive. Check the path of the file that
Windows cannot access and make sure that the location is accessible. (The screen shot for this
step is listed below).
Method 3: Make sure that the file has not been moved or deleted
You can also receive this error if the file has been moved or deleted. Browse to the location of
the file and make sure the file is in that location.
Method 4: Recreate the shortcut to check for corruption
You can also receive this error if the shortcut or other file type has become corrupt. You can
check for corruption in shortcuts by recreating the shortcut. To do this, see Create or delete a
shortcut.
If an application or other type of file is corrupt it may be necessary to repair the application to
resolve the issue.
Method 5: Unblock the file
In some cases the file may be blocked by Windows. Check the properties of the file, there may
be a note saying This file came from another computer and might be blocked to help protect this
computer To check for and unblock the file, follow these steps:
1. Right-click the blocked file and then select Properties.
2. In the General tab, select Unblock if the option is available.
Method 6: Check to see if your antivirus software is blocking the file
You can check to see if your antivirus software is blocking a file by temporarily disabling it, and
then trying to open the file. If you have to temporarily disable your antivirus software, you
should re-enable it as soon as you are done. If you’re connected to the Internet while your
antivirus software is disabled, your PC is vulnerable to attacks.
Important: Disabling your antivirus software or changing the settings may make your PC
vulnerable to viral, fraudulent, or malicious attacks. Microsoft does not recommend that you
disable your antivirus software or change the settings. If you have to temporarily disable your
antivirus software, you should re-enable it as soon as you are done. Use this workaround at your
own risk. To temporarily disable your antivirus software, see Disable antivirus software
Cause
This issue can occur if any of the following scenarios exist on your PC.
• You do not have permissions to the file or the file location.
• The file is on a location that is not currently accessible like a network location or an
external drive that is not currently connected to the PC.
• The file has been moved or deleted.
• The file or shortcut is corrupt.
• The file may be blocked by Windows.
• Your antivirus software may be blocking the file
Error Details
"Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate
permission to access the item."
You may receive the exact error while you are trying to start a program or open a file on your
Windows computer. Apparently, simply gaining the required permission doesn't solve the error
effectively, that's why so many people are posting the same question and asking further help
from Microsoft support and some prevailing forums.
So, what are the possible reasons that make Windows fail to access the specified device, path or
file as normal? What's the reason that you don't currently have permission to access the folder?
What sensible suggestions should you follow to make sure that you don't necessarily lose
programs and files?
Now, read on the causes and the solutions. Then solve this error without losing access to
important data files on a specified device.
Four Causes for "Windows cannot access the specified
device path or file" Error
As long as you see the message "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You
may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item", you must think of the four reasons
below:
• You don't have permission to the file or file location.
• File location\path isn't accessible or even doesn't exist.
• Antivirus software prevents files from opening.
• The file has been deleted, removed, transferred or hidden by the virus.
Method 1: Gain the Permission of the File or Folder
Now that the error suggests that "you may not have the appropriate permissions to access the
item", you should first check if you have the permission of the file or folder. To gain permission
to access a file or a location, do as follows.
Step 1: Right-click the file or folder and select "Properties".
Step 2: Under Group or User names, click your name to see the permissions you have.
Step 3: Select "Edit", where you can have permissions like full control, modify, read & execute,
read, write or special permissions. Choose the permissions you need and click "OK".
Method 2: Check the File Location
You may also get this error if the shortcut or installation is attempting to access a location that is
not currently available such as a networked or a removable drive. Check the path of the file and
make sure that the location is accessible.
Step 1: Right-click on the file or folder and select Properties.
Step 2: Under the General tab, check the location, make sure that the file path is correct and
accessible.
Method 3: Disable Antivirus and Unlock the File/Folder
What antivirus software are you using? You can check to see if your antivirus software is
blocking a file by temporarily disabling it, and then trying to open the file. Then unlock the
file. In some cases, the file may be blocked by Windows. You can check the properties of a file
to see if it is blocked.
• Right-click the blocked file and then select "Properties".
• In the General tab, select "Unblock" if the option is available.
Method 4: Recover the Deleted/Removed/Corrupted File
If the 'Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file' error was caused by an unknown
deletion, corruption, feel free to download EaseUS data recovery software to bring lost data
back. This powerful data recovery software can not only recover files but also recover photos,
pictures, images, audios, and videos from HDD, USB or external hard drive. If your inaccessible
files or folders are on a removable hard drive or flash disk, connect it to a Windows PC where
EaseUS hard drive recovery software installed. Make sure the software has detected your device.
Now, follow the steps to recover files that Windows cannot access normally.
Step 1. Choose the file location to scan.
Run EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard on your computer. Choose the drive where you lost files and
click "Scan". If you lost files were on an external storage device, connect it to your computer
firstly.
Step 2. Scan the lost files.
The software will start immediately a quick scan for deleted files, and later a deep scan will
launch to scan more lost files all over the selected drive. After the scan, you can use the Filter to
quickly filter a specific file type.
Step 3. Preview and restore files.
Double-click on a file allows for a full preview. Finally, select the desired files, click "Recover"
and browse a location to save all the files at once.
All the provided fixes and file recovery solution aims to resolve 'Windows cannot access the
specified device, path, and file' error, which might occur on desktop contents, explorer.exe, and
other locations when opening a file, trying to install, update or start a program.
People Also Ask Related Questions (FAQ)
1. How do I fix Windows cannot access the specified device path or file?
• Gain the permission of the file or folder
• Check the file location
• Disable antivirus and unlock the file/folder
• Recover the deleted/removed/corrupted file
2. How do I fix you do not have permission to access?
• Change the owner.
• Change security permissions with Command Prompt.
3. How do I get full permission on Windows 10?
• Open File Explorer. Browse and find the file or folder you want to have full access to.
• Right-click it, and select "Properties".
• Click the "Security" tab to access the NTFS permissions.
• Click the "Advanced" button. On the Select User or Group page, click "Find Now".
• Then select your user account and click "OK". On the Select User or Group page, click
"OK".
• Click "Apply", then click "OK".
4. How do I fix access denied folder in Windows 10?
• Take ownership of the file or folder.
• Get proper permissions.
• Recover lost data.
