Windows 7 Access Denied: Permission & Ownership

By Nakodari on Oct 26 2009 99 Comments

If you are getting Access Denied error in Windows 7 then you are not alone. This error is quite common and occurs due to permission issues. There are some files and folders that are meant only for Administrators to access, if you are not an administrator then you cannot access it and will instead get Access Denied error.

To enhance security Microsoft has even denied Administrators access to some folders. The way to fix this error is to give yourself permission to access the file or folder. This can be done by going to Properties and then navigating to Security tab.

Remember that we are taking about two different things – Permission and Ownership. By giving all permission to your account, you will be able to get complete control of a folder. But in some cases only the owner can assign the permission for various users, we will also cover how you can change the ownership.

Changing Ownership

First, lets talk about ownership. To change ownership, right-click any file or folder, select Properties, and go to Security tab. Now click the Advanced button(shown in the screenshot below).

Advanced Properties Windows 7

Next, you need to go to Owner tab and hit the Edit button. Then in the new dialog window choose the new owner and then click OK.

Owner Windows 7

Changing Permission

If you are an administrator and cannot access a folder, this is due to permission error. To give complete permission to yourself, right-click the file or folder and select Properties. Now go to Security tab, and hit the Edit button.

Here select your username(account) and check the Full Control checkbox. When done, hit OK. Note that when you will check the Full Control checkbox, all others will be automatically checked too.

Update: This method is not working for most users. Since many folders and files are locked, the only way to access them is to first unlock them using LockHunter.

Windows 7 Full control

Now go ahead and open the file or folder and you will be able to access it. Note that Permissions is a great way to lock your folder too, go here to learn more about how to lock your folder.

Enjoy!

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  • david palmer

    This is nuts, to have to change the permissions for each system folder, in older Windows folders you could just make the admin account a member of the appropriate group. I understand the need for higher security, I use basic account for everyday work and an Admin account for installing software or to config system. What I want is a super duper admin group that has access to all SYSTEM folders and to make my admin user a member of that group. This kind of stupid overkill undermines security because the only way I can override it all is to take ownership of all folders on C drive and obliterate all permissions with my own, thus creating all kinds of kaka for basic users.

  • Mike Tull

    The fact that microsoft devised such a user hostile system is evidence of their “big brother mentality”. They don’t want us home users to be able to effectively use their overpriced products without wasting an enormus amount of time trying to override all of the roadblocks that they throw in our way.

    • Tom Wierbonics

      Thanks for the company! I have to agree that MicroSoft made a mistake with this issue. I am ashamed to tell you the number of hours I have spent on this, along with assistance from help desks including remote control of my computer, and the issue could still not be identified and resolved. Even the above article will not resolve all of the access denied issues still on my computer, but I will follow the above links, and persist.

    • Nils Th

      What has happened to Microsoft? I used to defend Microsoft in the old days.
      But, now I think they have some stupid programmers who are trying to make a hell for us simple home users. Go to hell with all “administrators” who are trying to make a living at our expense!

      If they don’t improve Windows 7 soon, I’ll swtich to Ubunu or Mac.

      For god’s sake: How do I get rid of “access denied” in my own computer?
      I am starting to loose patience!

      • JP

        I agree with, “I think they have some stupid programmers who are trying to make a hell for us simple home users. Go to hell with all “administrators” who are trying to make a living at our expense!”

        I’m getting fed up with Windows 7 also.

      • Trauma-D91

        Switch to Ubuntu. I have been using it for a few years now and I have nothing but good things to say about it. I haven’t had any of the problems I have on the Windows 7 PCs at work and its FREE!!!

  • ngua_con

    more than agreed, microsoft underestimated their users, dont they think everyone is just basic user, and lock every thing, it takes me ages just to unlock each folder system, and even when I tried the grant permission software, there r still folders that dont work right. Feel so rediculous when im admin and I have to take ownership for my own account, wat s in this world more ridiculous than that, probably i might just come back to my xp darling, not that stylying looking, but easy to use, and has everything I need

  • http://www.quickenwebsites.com Anton @ Quickenwebsi

    Did all as described, and still get the same “Access denied”. Will try unloacker software as one memeber mentioning in the post.

  • http://www.addictivetips.com/ bh

    I just did it! Properties -> Security -> Advanced…… Select deny everyone and Remove. I’ll be damned. What a piece of crap. I hope I don’t have to remember how or where.

  • http://www.addictivetips.com/ bh

    “NEW” search function is totally user unfriendly too. [sarcasm]Thank you, god![/sarcasm]
    More crap, different day.

  • http://www.file-renamer.net AccessDenied

    There’s a very simple and quick solution (just a few seconds) that not only unlocks files and folders, but also lets you choose whether to delete them immediately. Apply it to the root folder of a drive (not the delete, obviously!) and the problem should never recur. Unfortunately, it’s part of a software tool whose main function is mass file editing for SEO. Nevertheless, it’s worth checking out: File-Renamer.net

    • newin7user

      Anyone with the “Cant access file/folder” try this – right click the folder or drive select properties/advanced/owner. Click edit pick your account username/admin then check that box that says “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects” hit apply. Worked for me instead doing one folder/file at a time.

      • JP

        This doesn’t work for outlook contacts. Any other suggestions?

  • Gregg E.

    I upgraded hard drives on my laptop running Vista Ultimate and now I need a quick way to take ownership of every folder and file on the old drive so I can access my own files.

    I can see many of them with the drive connected to an XP box. Those same folders and files are completely hidden with it connected to my laptop.

    I use the take ownership registry patch on XP but that only works one thing at a time and doesn’t work at all on some files and folders.

    I don’t care if the old drive becomes unbootable. I just need a way to hit everything with full control permissions set to Everyone.

    IIRC, I could setup an XP SP2 system, possibly even with SP3 and no later updates, and it’d ignore these pesky permissions.

    Used to be a great way for stealth malware removal, hooking the drive to a clean system to do scans and delete bad files, but this annoying strict adherence to file permissions gets in the way of removing viruses and malware. Way to go Microsoft! Help the malware writing twits!

    • Michael Preyer

      This article and the instructions at the beginning are excellent, but could be more complete. If you take ownership and grant permissions for an entire secondary drive, then all of the folders in that drive will inherit the ownership and permissions at one time.

      Here is a complete set of steps with screen shots:
      http://www.preyerplanning.com/take-ownership-of-entire-hard-drive-in-windows-7.pdf

      I hope this helps a few people.

      Michael

      • JP

        “Do not try this on you C/boot drive. It will change so many permissions that you’ll need to reinstall windows.”

        I don’t have permission to see my outlook contacts. Outlook is on my C drive.

        I used to have permission! I didn’t knowingly do anything to cause a change.

        Microsoft should pay us for using this crap.

      • David Ecklein

        Michael, I tried this. It seems to work partially.

        I saw many “access denied” messages when changing ownership (page 8 of your 10-page instruction), and ignored them as suggested. But I don’t see how those files were in use.

        When I tried to copy the disk into a desktop folder, it only copied a small fraction of what was on the disk (about 80 Gb on disk, only 13 Gb copied). So this is not a complete solution as I see it.

  • Carmy

    Thanks, I was about the reformat the drive…

  • mom

    Umm, that’s not an ERROR

  • Carlos

    Hi:

    To complete these steps, you must check that the object you want to gain control of is not inheriting some permission from a upper file or group that has no permission or for which you have no permission.

    For example: I was trying to delete some files from my C:/Users/Olduser/ folder. Using the above steps I still got the message that I had no permissions. Going to Properties > Security > Advanced Options > Permissions, I found that although I was the owner of the folder, it had two entries like these (sorry if the wording is not exact, as my system is not in english):
    Name Permission Inherited from
    Users Read and execution C:\Users\
    Everyone Read and execution C:\Users\

    the others entries had full control or total control.

    After removing those two entries, finally I regained control of my files and folders.

    Hope this help.

    Regards.

  • Andrew

    To fix

    Start > Control Panel > System & Security > Administrative Tools > Local Security Policy > Under Security Settings Click > Local Policies > User Rights Assignment

    Look for the policy
    “Take ownership of files and other objects”
    Double click the policy
    Click add user or group
    type your username (must have admin privilage)
    then click check names
    Click “OK” untill you are back at the local security policy screen.
    Exit all screens untill you are back at the desktop
    Navigate to “Run” ( Al Programs > Accessories)
    in thr run box type without quotes “gpupdate”
    A message will appear telling you the update worked
    try the file copy or file ownership again

    on home versions of windows the simple security tab should work as i dont think these versions have group policy settings

  • Rich

    I’ve found a solution to “access denied” that ALWAYS works for me. I see it was also found by “bh” in his post of Oct 16, so why are there still questions?

    Anyway, the problem I ALWAYS find is the the folder has a permissions for the Everyone group of Denied. This applies to EVERYONE, including administrators AND owners, so taking ownership will not work.

    Properties ==> Security. I always see that there is an Everyone group with no checkmarks for any of the permissions. I click Advanced to verify all permissions are Denied, then remove the Everyone group.

    Unlocker is only applicable if the file is currently in use.

  • John Clark

    uhm, When i try and edit the permissions, it says access denied… WTF!

  • eboye

    I had the folder that I couldn’t delete, getting Access Denied no matter what I do and what program do I use. Finally remembered that I had it included in library ;) Removed it from library and it was gone. So why in the hell didn’t it removed itself so it can be deleted?

  • Carlos

    Hey,
    I’m trying to give users permission to read and add, but not edit or delete files/folders from shared folders, but apparently win7 mixes them all (even in advanced settings) – is this possible?

    Thx.

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  • Israel

    Hello
    A site at any site in the normal password

  • Eddie

    F…k! If Microsoft is unable to figure out this triviality how can we trust them with anything else?
    I am and I always was the only user of this Pc, its fresh reinstall of W7, but I am unable to open my own folders! WTF?
    Spending hours by searching for solution how to open Documents? Ridiculous.
    I paid my hard earned $$ for it and all I got is this lousy s###.
    Linux is running in virtual machine for now, next time Im putting it on harddrive.

  • Eddie

    Exactly. I dont understand how can MS fakup such relatively simple task of searching files. Maybe they want to leave some room for future improvements? So we can one day say “wow, this search in Windows12 is really good”.
    “Access denied” will be fixed in W28.

  • Nick

    How is it that within 20 minutes of turning on Win 7 I found both these issues?Yet MS’ team of testers seem never to have considered either one of them an issue!!!!!As the person buying the OS,loading and naming the computer and putting the personal info into the machine…shouldn’t I be the default owner/occupier/God of all files?That said,newin7user post of 14/10/2010 does the job- Thanks newin7user.As to search,well what can be said save that XP worked and then they stuffed it.

  • Eddie

    By lucky coincidence I came back here and gave it one more try. Don’t ask me how I did it ,it was lots of clicking, but now I am God of my PC. I can open everything, even Cookies and Documents and settings:). Thank you all!
    Now, can somebody be so kind and tell me what I really should lock? Windows folder? System32?
    And whom to grant rights? There is System, Authenticated users, Administrator… probably twenty more…
    I don’t want to end up like last time I tried this- computer wouldn’t boot – next step was reinstall:)
    Thanks in advance.

    • Nick

      Hi Eddie.To clarify,one way you may have gained global drive ownership:Start -> Computer -> right click on drive you want -> Properties -> Security tab -> Advanced button -> Owner tab -> Edit button -> [ highlighted your name] -> Apply button -> check “Replace Owner on…” box -> Apply.Then press Continue when it objects to the VERY few files that the System requires exclusive use(four from memory) i.e. hiberfil.sys,pagefile and 2 {…} ones.Please spread this around as MS seems to want it a secret!!As to the byzantine world of Win 7 permissions I think it is a question of personal taste.If you are the only User of your Computer I would leave sleeping dogs lie.Regards.

      • JP

        First of all, the steps you wrote are actually on my computer. Congrats and thank you.

        However, this didn’t work for my outlook contacts.

        I used to have permission … just a couple of days ago. No majors changes that I know of since then. One automatic update is all.

    • JP

      Gave WHAT one more try?

      I want to be the God of my computer.

  • Eddie

    Yes. Its as Nick and newin7user above say.

    One more solution to this problem (not for powerusers but sufficient for the rest of us) is to go to Organize – Folder and search options – View – and click Don’t show hidden files, folders and drives – Apply – OK. From that moment Windows will hide anything you don’t have to see. Out of sight it won’t irritate your mind, continue using Windows as usual.

    I’d still like to know which users have to have security permissions. Thinking that me (administrator) and SYSTEM should be enough I lost access to my C drive again. (sorry Nick, I didn’t leave the dogs sleep) But why should EVERY hacker have access? I only want some of them:) allow access to my completely unlocked computer.

  • mike

    All I want to do is copy c:users/user01 (and all its sub directories) to a backup drive and do the same for c:users/user02 etc. How do I achieve this?

  • Lis

    THANK YOU!

  • Ed

    Problem solved!~
    Download a routine, which is a registry folder.
    After the merge everything works again.

    It give a context menu (right click) option to take full admin ownership of any files.
    To make it simple I just did the whole windows folder..
    It works like a charm.

    The file is named
    “GrantAdminFullControl”
    http://www.filestube.com/dc539bd3ba3628a203ea,g/GrantAdminFullControl.html

  • Mike

    This permission administrator crap should never be an issue when you buy and own the computer. And why isn’t there a blanket correction to fix all folders? You have to fix them one at a time? Un-wtf-believable.

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  • renzo

    thx, it worked, finally!

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  • John Marnell

    Nick thanks your a genius! Even Microsoft could not answer my questions but all I had to do was change the owner from C: as you describer! THanks!!!!

  • Don

    I am sharing the problem with permissions. I am finding that no matter how hard I try, I cannot get my pdf editor to save to ANY folder on my hard drive. Hence the Windows 7 UNoperating system does not allow me to save essential files. This dysfunction renders this operating system useless for my needs. I was initially satisfied with this purchase. However, I am an Ergonomist and routinely evaluate usability of software. It is totally objectionable that Microsoft would restrict permissions to my folder by default. As the Administrator of this computer I should be able to use everything freely and manually set restrictions as I see fit. In spite of other good features, I would fail Windows 7 if I were to evaluate it. This adds to my frustration with other blatant errors in Microsoft products that go unfixed. For example, after saving text while editing within Notepad the cursor will change or give the appearance that is is within the text but when you type you find it enters characters somewhere else. This has been going on for years. My solution: buy a commerical notepad replacement. The frustrating part is that any Freshman computer science student can write a text editor that is more reliable. But this permissions issue in Windows 7 underscores the “Nanny philosophy” that Microsoft has been pursuing for years. I am sure the company line will be that this is all “for our own good” to protect us from hackers but I would hope that the minds at the Redmond think tank would develop some usable software.

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  • Sean Reeves

    I had tried all of the ‘Take Ownership’ style ‘fixes’ that I could find. Some would work temporarily, then revert back to the error, and some wouldn’t work at all. Last night I stumbled across a thread on another site regarding ‘icalcs’ which is a Windows utility that edits ACLs (access control lists).

    Long story short, I started running this utility via CMD prompt on my 1TB USB 3.0 drive and after an hour, went to bed. When I awakened, the utility had finished after processing nearly 400,000 files and my permission error problems are gone!

    The blog where I found this information is located at:
    http://lallousx86.wordpress.com/2009/06/14/resetting-ntfs-files-security-and-permission-in-windows-7/

    However, many readers were having problems running the utility (not sure why), so I created a .BAT file that does it for you. Simply place the .BAT file in the directory to have its permissions reset, and run the file as an administrator.

    You can download the .BAT from my site:
    http://www.enoctis.net/shared/Win7_File-Permissions.zip

    I hope everyone finds this useful and that they have as much luck as I did with it. My external drive is now error free.

    Best Regards,

    Sean Reeves
    SPC, USA
    Armorer NCO

  • Kriego

    My solution :
    1st of all take the ownership as mentioned above….
    Then follow the following steps :

    1) Right click on the folder -> Properties
    2) Goto Security tab
    3) Select Advanced
    4) Goto Auditing tab
    5) Click on Add
    6) Then click on advanced
    7) Click on find now
    8) Select your user and click on ok and then again on ok
    9) Now select your user and click on Edit
    10) Tick on the full control check box
    11) Now click on ok in every property window

    There we go….Done :)

    I hope this will work for you….

  • pk

    I am using the administrator but when i add a new hardware and try to copy paste then access is denied and no permission to administrator is shown.

  • ron

    I’ve wasted enough time on this issue with Windows 7. I’m going back to XP. Window 7 is the most ridiculous piece of crap I’ve seen from Microsoft in some time, and that’s saying something.

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