Easy Steps to Fix Folder Access Denied on Windows 10 Computer

If you are reading this, you must be seeing the “Folder Access Denied” issue on your Windows 10 computer. You will come across this issue in a variety of instances.

For example, most people see folder access denied on Windows 10 issues when they are copying, deleting, or moving a folder.

Why Do You Get The “Folder Access Denied” Error On Your Computer?

As the first thing, let’s take a look at the reasons why you are getting the “Folder Access Denied” error on your computer.

The reason for access is denied on Windows 10 is quite obvious. It highlights that you are not provided with proper permission to access the file in your computer settings.

For example, if the folder is accessible only to the administrator and if you have not logged in from the administrator account, you will have to see this error.

While keeping that in mind, follow these steps to eliminate the folder access denied error on the computer.

PS: Here, you will figure out how to fix the requested resource that is in use error.

How to Fix the Folder Access Denied Error on Your Computer?

1. Make Sure That You Are the Owner of the Folder

You need to take a look at the settings and see if you are the owner of the folder or the specific file that you are going to access. Along with this, you will be able to tweak the settings so that you can become the owner.

The following steps should be followed to tweak settings.

• You need to visit the folder that is giving the issue.
• Then you need to right-click and visit properties. Now you can find a small window. You must click on the Advanced button on it.
• Now you need to locate the section called “Owner.” Here, you can either select a user or a user group. By doing that, you will be granting folder permissions to that specific user or the user group.
• In the tab where you are asked to enter the object name, you need to enter your Windows 10 username. Now you can save the changes and see if you can access the folder.

2. Receive Permission to the Folder or File

As mentioned earlier, folder access denied on Windows 10 takes place when you don’t have access to it.  Therefore, you can work accordingly and receive permission to access the specific file or folder as well.

By following these steps, you will be able to get permission to access the folder or the file that you have.

• As the first thing, you will need to go to the folder where access is denied. Then you must right-click on the folder and visit Properties. On the folder properties, you will need to visit the Security Tab. Then you must click the Edit button.

• Now you will be able to see a list. From this list, you will be able to select your name from the list. By doing that, you are providing permission to yourself.

This will be the easiest method available for you to overcome the folder access denied problem on your computer. In case you don’t see your name on the list of usernames, don’t worry. You can enter the name manually.

3. Decrypt the Folder or File

Decrypting the folder or file is another solution that is available for you to overcome the Access is Denied Windows 10 issue.

• To begin with decryption, you need to locate the folder or file, right-click on it, and then access properties. Now you need to click on the General Tab. and Then navigate to the advanced button. You can clear all the checkboxes that you can see, but keep the option that asks you to have files in the folder to be indexed content. Then you can save the settings.
• While you are saving, you need to make sure that you are applying the changes to the folder and all the subfolders under it as well. Now you can check and see whether you still see the folder access denied on Windows 10 problem on the computer.

4. Add Your User Account to the Admin User Group

• Once you get Admin privileges to the Windows 10 computer, you will be able to overcome getting the problem. Therefore, you can think about adding the user account to the Admin user group. This is where you need to press Windows Key and X at the same time. Then you will be able to open up a window.
• In the window, you can find a list. Out of that, you must pick computer management. On the newly opened window, you need to visit the local users and groups. Then you must pick users. Here, you will be able to locate your user account. You can double-click on top of the user account.
• Now you need to navigate to the “member of” section and then click on add. Along with that, you will be able to enter your name under the administrator. You can then save the settings to the computer. Upon saving the settings, you need to check and see if you still see the problem. It should get fixed at the end of the process.

5. Disable User Account Control (UAC)

User Account Control (UAC) is a Windows feature that prompts you for confirmation when making changes that require administrative privileges. Disabling UAC might help resolve the “Folder Access Denied” error. Follow these steps:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type msconfig and hit Enter to open the System Configuration window.
3. In the window that appears, go to the “Tools” tab.
4. Scroll down and select “Change UAC Settings.”
5. Click on “Launch” and move the slider to the bottom to disable UAC.
6. Click “OK” to save the changes and exit the window. Remember to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

6. Use Command Prompt to Reset Permissions

If the above methods didn’t work, you can try resetting the folder permissions using the Command Prompt. Here’s how:

1. Press Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” to open an elevated Command Prompt window.
2. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter: icacls “C:\Path\to\Folder” /reset /t /c /q (Replace “C:\Path\to\Folder” with the actual path to the folder giving the error.)
3. Wait for the process to complete and then close the Command Prompt window. Try accessing the folder again and see if the error is resolved.

7. Use a Third-Party File Unlocker Tool

If none of the above methods work, you can utilize third-party file unlocker tools to bypass the “Folder Access Denied” error.

These tools can help unlock files or folders that are locked by other processes. Some popular options include Unlocker, IObit Unlocker, and LockHunter. Download and install one of these tools and follow the on-screen instructions to unlock the folder.

8. Check for File System Errors

Sometimes, file system errors can lead to the “Folder Access Denied” error. You can use the built-in Windows utility called chkdsk to check for and fix these errors. Here’s how:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type chkdsk C: /f /r and press Enter. (Replace “C:” with the drive letter where the affected folder is located.)
3. Wait for the process to complete and restart your computer. Once your computer restarts, check if you can access the folder without encountering the error.

9. Disable Antivirus or Firewall

In some cases, your antivirus or firewall software may incorrectly flag a folder as malicious and prevent access to it. Temporarily disabling your antivirus or firewall can help determine if they are causing the “Folder Access Denied” error.

Refer to the documentation of your security software for instructions on how to disable it temporarily.

10. Boot in Safe Mode

Booting your computer in Safe Mode loads only essential drivers and services, which can help bypass any conflicting programs causing the “Folder Access Denied” error. Follow these steps:

1. Press Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Go to Update & Security > Recovery.
3. Under the “Advanced startup” section, click Restart now.
4. In the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
5. After the computer restarts, press F4 or F5 to boot into Safe Mode. Once in Safe Mode, try accessing the folder and check if the error persists.

11. Reset Windows Security Settings

Resetting Windows security settings to their default values can sometimes resolve the “Folder Access Denied” error. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type secedit /configure /cfg %windir%\inf\defltbase.inf /db defltbase.sdb /verbose and press Enter.
3. Wait for the process to complete, and then restart your computer. After the restart, try accessing the folder and check if the error persists.

What Should You Do When You Can’t Fix the Folder Access Denied Issue?

In case all the above-mentioned methods don’t work, you will end up with a lot of frustration. However, you don’t need to worry too much about anything because you still have a reliable method to gain access to the content that you had in the folder or the file.

This is where the assistance offered by a file recovery tool will be able to help you. It is possible for you to discover a lot of file recovery tools on the internet.

Among those different file recovery tools, Tenorshare 4DDiG is a good option to try. It can deliver guaranteed results to you by recovering the files and folders that you had on the computer which are no longer accessible.

Features Of Tenorshare 4DDiG

The following are the outstanding features that you can get along with 4DDiG. You can go through the list of features and get a clear picture of what you will be able to receive from this tool at the end of the day.

• You can use 4DDiG to recover folders or files from your laptop, PC, external storage drive, or even a mobile phone.
• This file recovery tool is capable of recovering a variety of file types. No matter whether it is a PowerPoint, Excel, any other document, or even a file type such as a video or audio, you can recover it with Tenorshare 4DDiG.
• You will be able to recover data using 4DDiG in a few clicks.
• You will be able to use the free version of 4DDiG and get a clear picture before you buy the paid version.
• Moreover, you can use the tool and recover any file or folder from any drive on your computer.

Steps to Recover Files and Folders Using Tenorshare 4DDiG

• 1 – Download and launch 4DDiG software. Choose a location from the connected computer you wish to recover the data.

• 2 – In this step, tap on the “Scan” button, and 4DDiG will start to scan for the files in the chosen location. Once the scanning is finished, the tool will display a dialog box showing files have been recovered.

• 3 – Now, please preview and select the files you want to recover, click the “Recover” button and save them to your PC.

Conclusion

Encountering the “Folder Access Denied” error on Windows 10 can be frustrating, but there are several methods you can try to resolve the issue. From taking ownership of the folder to adjusting permissions, disabling UAC, using Command Prompt, and exploring various other techniques, you have a range of options at your disposal.

Remember to exercise caution and create backups of your important files before making any changes to ensure their safety. By following the methods outlined in this article, you should be able to regain access to your files and folders without the “Folder Access Denied” error interrupting your workflow.

FAQs

Q1. Why am I seeing the “Folder Access Denied” error on Windows 10?

The “Folder Access Denied” error on Windows 10 occurs when you don’t have the necessary permissions or ownership to access a specific folder or file. It can also be caused by permission conflicts, ownership issues, or problems with the file system.

Q2. Can I fix the “Folder Access Denied” error without administrative privileges?

In most cases, you need administrative privileges to fix the “Folder Access Denied” error. Administrative access allows you to change ownership, adjust permissions, and perform other troubleshooting steps necessary to resolve the issue.

Q3. What should I do if none of the methods mentioned in the article work for me?

If none of the methods provided in this article resolve the “Folder Access Denied” error, it is recommended to seek professional assistance from a qualified computer technician or contact Microsoft Support for further guidance tailored to your specific situation.

Q4. Are there any risks involved in changing folder permissions or taking ownership?

Changing folder permissions or taking ownership should be done with caution. It’s important to ensure that you understand the potential consequences of these actions and create backups of your important files before making any changes. Improperly modifying permissions or ownership can lead to data loss or security vulnerabilities.

Q5. Is there a way to prevent the “Folder Access Denied” error from occurring in the future?

To minimize the chances of encountering the “Folder Access Denied” error, it’s important to practice good file management and adhere to recommended security practices. Regularly update your operating system and security software, be cautious when downloading or installing files from untrusted sources, and ensure that you have appropriate permissions to access the files and folders on your system.