Windows Troubleshooting Guide

Access is Denied (0x80070005)

Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070005 (E_ACCESSDENIED) usually means Windows has blocked an application, file, folder, service, or system action because the required permissions are missing.

✦ Fix This Error →

Access is denied (0x80070005) is a common Windows permission-related error. It can appear when you try to open a file, install software, change system settings, access a folder, run a program, or use a Windows service.

The good news is that this error can often be fixed by running the affected application with administrator rights, checking permissions, changing ownership, temporarily checking security software, or repairing the affected Windows component.

Start Here

Quick Ways to Fix Access Denied

Try these simple solutions first before making advanced changes.

01

Run as Administrator

Right-click the affected application and select Run as administrator. This gives the program elevated permissions.

02

Check Permissions

If Windows blocks a file or folder, check its Security settings and make sure your account has the required permissions.

03

Restart Windows

A restart can release locked files and refresh Windows services that may be preventing the requested operation.

04

Check Windows Security

Security features may sometimes block an application from accessing protected files or folders.

05

Check File Ownership

If your account is not the owner of a file or folder, Windows may deny access even when you are an administrator.

06

Repair Windows

If the problem affects multiple applications, Windows system repair commands may help identify and repair damaged components.

Step-by-Step

Detailed Solutions

Follow the method that matches where the error appears on your Windows computer.

1 Run the Program as Administrator

The first solution is to start the affected application with administrator privileges.

  1. Step 1: Find the application or shortcut.
  2. Step 2: Right-click it.
  3. Step 3: Select Run as administrator.
  4. Step 4: Select Yes if Windows displays a User Account Control prompt.
  5. Step 5: Try the operation again.

2 Check File or Folder Permissions

If the error appears while opening, editing, moving, deleting, or saving a file, review the permissions for that file or folder.

  1. Step 1: Right-click the file or folder.
  2. Step 2: Select Properties.
  3. Step 3: Open the Security tab.
  4. Step 4: Select your Windows account.
  5. Step 5: Check the permissions listed below.
  6. Step 6: If appropriate, allow the required permission and apply the change.

3 Take Ownership of a File or Folder

An access error can occur when your account does not have ownership of a particular file or folder.

  1. Step 1: Right-click the affected folder.
  2. Step 2: Choose Properties.
  3. Step 3: Open the Security tab.
  4. Step 4: Select Advanced.
  5. Step 5: Check the current Owner information.
  6. Step 6: If necessary, change the owner to an appropriate administrator account.

Important

Avoid changing ownership or permissions for Windows system folders unless you know why the change is required. Incorrect permission changes can cause other Windows problems.

4 Check Windows Security

Windows security protections can prevent applications from accessing certain protected locations.

  1. Step 1: Open Windows Security.
  2. Step 2: Review the available protection settings.
  3. Step 3: Check whether the affected application has been blocked.
  4. Step 4: If Windows reports a specific block, follow the recommended Windows Security action.

5 Run System File Checker

If access-denied problems are appearing unexpectedly across Windows, checking system files can be useful.

  1. Step 1: Open the Start menu.
  2. Step 2: Search for Command Prompt.
  3. Step 3: Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
  4. Step 4: Run the system file checker command.
sfc /scannow

6 Use DISM to Repair Windows

DISM can help repair the Windows component store when system corruption is suspected.

  1. Step 1: Open Command Prompt as administrator.
  2. Step 2: Run the following command.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Wait for the operation to finish, then restart Windows and test the affected operation again.

7 Restart and Try Again

Sometimes the error is caused by a temporary process, locked file, or Windows service. Restarting the computer can clear these temporary conditions.

  1. Step 1: Save your open work.
  2. Step 2: Restart your computer.
  3. Step 3: Open the affected application again.
  4. Step 4: Repeat the operation that previously produced the error.
Why It Happens

Common Causes of 0x80070005

The same error code can appear for several different permission and security-related reasons.

01

Missing Permissions

Your Windows account may not have enough permission to perform the requested action.

02

Administrator Restrictions

Windows may require elevated administrator privileges for the requested operation.

03

File Ownership

Another account or system identity may own the affected file or folder.

04

Security Protection

Windows security features can restrict access to protected files and locations.

05

System File Problems

Damaged Windows components can sometimes cause unexpected permission or application errors.

06

Application Restrictions

An application may not have permission to access a specific system resource.

What does E_ACCESSDENIED mean?

E_ACCESSDENIED indicates that an operation was refused because the required access or permission was not granted. The hexadecimal HRESULT value commonly associated with this error is 0x80070005.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions about the Windows access-denied error.

What is error 0x80070005?

Error 0x80070005 is a Windows access-denied error. It generally means an application or process does not have the permission required to complete an operation.

What does E_ACCESSDENIED mean?

E_ACCESSDENIED means Windows or an application refused access to a requested resource because the necessary permissions were not available.

Can running a program as administrator fix this error?

It can help when the problem is caused by insufficient administrator privileges. Right-click the application and choose Run as administrator.

Why does Windows say access is denied to a folder?

The folder may have restricted permissions, different ownership, security restrictions, or another Windows account may control access.

Is 0x80070005 a serious Windows error?

Not necessarily. The code describes an access problem rather than identifying one specific hardware or software failure. The cause depends on what you were trying to do when the error appeared.

Should I change permissions on Windows system folders?

You should be careful. Changing permissions on protected Windows folders without understanding the reason can cause additional problems. Use the least-invasive solution first.

What should I do if none of these solutions work?

Note exactly which application, file, folder, or Windows feature produces the error. The exact location and action can help identify the specific permission or security issue.

Still Seeing “Access is Denied”?

Start with administrator access, then check the permissions of the affected file or folder. If the problem affects Windows more broadly, consider checking system files and Windows components.

Review Quick Fixes ↑