You will usually receive this error if the incorrect file access permissions are set or if the data has become corrupt.
What Causes Folder Access Denied Error
How to Fix Folder Access Denied Error?
The primary fixes for this access related error message will change the permissions of the folder and files within. Here you will find the most effective ways to troubleshoot this issue.
You are Not the Administrator: If you are trying to open a folder without being logged in as the administrator on that given PC, you might encounter issues when attempting to view or modify files.Your Files are Encrypted: Some files come with pre-set encryptions to prevent unregulated access. This is most common with files you access through a cloud, server or another download service.Changed File Permission: This is a common issue when files from a prior Windows version get copied to a new operating system.
Using the Group Policy Editor
These troubleshooting steps will edit the way Windows allows users to access folders and files as if they were the administrator. Here is exactly how to do so:
Grant File Access Permission on Your PC
This is the most surefire way to give permission to anyone on your computer to open, modify and delete data inside your folders. If you are the only person using your PC, this shouldn’t pose any further security concerns. Be aware that once this option is configured, anyone that you choose to give permission to your PC will be able to open any given file on it.Restart your PC when the process is complete to apply the changes and verify if the issue persists.
Take Ownership of the Folder With Restricted Access
The first and most straightforward fix will attempt to revoke any restricted access to the folder you are attempting to open. Here are the steps to do so:After these changes are applied, reopen the folder and see if the access error persists.
Check for Encrypted Files
If your file is previously encrypted, this will prevent you from accessing it in any way. Here are the steps to check if a file is encrypted: To remove encryption from files perform these steps: After this, your folder should be accessible if it was encrypted.
