How to Fix Access Is Denied (Focus on Disk and Folder)

Access denied is usually accompanied by an issue notification.

Exact messages may vary on a case-by-case basis.

For example, it could be Location is not available.

X:\ is not accessible, Folder Access Denied.You need permissions to perform this action, etc.

Next, lets sort out the two access-denied issues.

Part 1.

Hard Drive Is Not Accessible.

Access Is Denied

Typically, hard drive access denied occurs on external hard drives or USB flash drives.

Before fixing hard drive access denied errors, you should immediately dump data from the drive.

Its easy operation steps and clear interface make data recovery easy and fast.

Now, download and install MiniTool Power Data Recovery Free to rescue data.

Launch MiniTool Power Data Recovery to go to its main interface.

Choose the external hard drive or USB drive that gets the access is denied error and click theScanbutton.

Step 2: Wait for the Scan Process to Complete.

After that, thissecure data recovery servicewill start scanning the selected inaccessible drive.

While scanning, it will continuously list all files it finds.

Step 3: Preview Found Files.

After scanning, you will see a large number of files displayed in the scan results window.

you might unfold each folder to check whether the listed files are the wanted ones.

To preview them, you could double-smack the target file or click thePreviewbutton.

Step 4: Choose a Location to Save Files.

After previewing, check all required items and click theSavebutton.

Then in the small pop-up window, select a location to store the recovered files.

It is recommended that you store needed files to another drive.

Otherwise, some lost data may beoverwrittenand become unrecoverable.

After rescuing your data, lets see how to fix the inaccessible drive.

PressWindows + Ekey combination to open File Explorer and find the inaccessible drive.

Right-choose the inaccessible drive to chooseProperties.

Shift to theSecuritytab, and click theAdvancedbutton.

In the new window, clickChange.

Then punch in your account name in the input box and clickCheck Names.

CheckReplace owner on subcontainers and objects.

Then clickApplyandOKsequentially to make this change take effect.

In the drive Properties window, clickEdit.

In the new window, choose the target user account and then confirm theFull controloption is checked.

Now you could give a shot to access your drive and see if it is accessible.

To fix the drive, you oughta execute theCHKDSKcommand.

Step 1: Typecmdinto the Windows search box and clickCommand Prompt.

Step 3: Wait for the process to complete.

Solution 3: Format the Inaccessible Drive

Formatting is the best way to fix most disk errors.

Format the drive from File Explorer.

In File Explorer, right-tap the target drive to selectFormat.

In the new window, specify the file system and volume label, and checkQuick Format.

After that, clickStartand wait until the formatting completes.

Format the drive using thedisk managementtool.

Download, install, and run MiniTool Partition Wizard Free.

Set up the partition label and file system.

After that, clickOK.

Finally, click theApplybutton in the lower left corner.

You should consider replacing it with a new hard drive.

Part 2.

For example, you may receive the following messages.

Listed below are the common reasons for file/folder access is denied:

Solution 1.

In this case, you may no longer have ownership of your files or folders.

The way to take ownership of a file varies in different versions of Windows.

Solution 2.

Get the Proper Permissions

Here is how to get file/folder permissions.

Step 1: Right-nudge the file or folder that reports the Access is denied error to clickProperties.

Step 2: Under theSecuritytab, chooseEditto pop fire up Permissions dialog for this file or folder.

Step 3: Select your name from theGroup or user namesbox and check theAllowoption next toFull control.

Step 4: Click theOKbutton.

Solution 3.

If you do not have access to a file or folder, the file may be encrypted.

To find out if a file/folder is encrypted, follow the steps below.

Right-nudge the file/folder to selectProperties.

Under theGeneraltab, hitAdvanced.

If the Encrypt content to secure data checkbox is checked, it means that the file/folder is encrypted.

In this case, you should ask the person who created this encrypted file/folder to decrypt it.

If you have encrypted some files, sometimes you may find it is unable to decrypt them.

Here is the fix if you cannot decrypt files in Windows 10.

Solution 4.

For Windows 7

Step 1: ClickStartto chooseControl Panel.

Step 2: ClickAdd or remove user accounts.

Step 3: ChooseCreate a new accountunder theManage Accountstab.

Step 4: key in the new account name and clickCreate Account.

For Windows 8/10

For Win 8 users, go toPC options>Users>Add a user.

Then start the new account creation by following the on-screen instructions.

Drive Is Not Accessible Access Is Denied FAQ