Windows Cannot Access the Specified Device, Path, or File Error FIX

"Windows Cannot Access the Specified Device Path or File. Not Appropriate Permission Error"

The error message, "Windows cannot access the specified device path or file", is very common. Lots of Windows 10/8/7 users receive the error when they try to install, update or start a program or open a file, for example, a Word file, PDF file.

You may receive the exact error when trying to start a program or open a file on your Windows computer. Apparently, simply gaining the required permission doesn't solve the error effectively, that's why so many people are posting the same question and asking further help from Microsoft support and some prevailing forums.

So, what are the possible reasons that make Windows fail to access the specified device, path or file as normal? Why don't you currently have permission to access the folder? What sensible suggestions should you follow to make sure that you don't necessarily lose programs and files?

This tutorial will apply for computers, laptops, desktops, and tablets running the Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 7 operating systems. Works for all major computer manufactures (Dell, HP, Acer, Asus, Toshiba, Lenovo, Samsung).

[sirtanjungp]

Mine is worked
But there is another problem
"windows can't find the file specified"
Poor me i just want to play counter strike

[EastonCraigFishing]

Followed every step to confirm i did it right, which I did. Failed to work

[ocyl]

when im trying to download a driver for my graphics card this pops up, but this did not work..

[mamadretro]

Hi bro, my C drive(hdd) and D drive(cdrom drive). When i opened my computer it shown my D drive highlighted. When i click my C drive it opened my D drive. Is there any solution to solve for this problem?

[stefanaritonovic]

My problem is that every file or program that has a little yellow/blue security icon (like run as administrator) does not open, on every file says "Windows cannot access the specified device path or file",

[zairegili]

i follow the steps but nothing works... It says you cannot access this file because the file specified is error

[spit]

I tried to open up eidt group policy but it gave me an error! I tried to right click on that but nothing happened!

[klaustosello]

A me continua a non aprirsi epicgames launcher, ho fatto esattamente come te, ma se lo apro continua a dirmi che non ho l'autorizzazione. Come posso fare?

[Ben-exmk]

I get this when i try to open Device manager, display adapter properties (and most system settings that require admin perms)
any solutions?

[YT_NOS]

I can't even get to security it just says make sure the path and file name are correct

[HAMMERS]

I cannot make anything work
Using Windows XP [ i know, ]
error: windows cannot access the specified device, path or file, You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item.


I get this on everything
add/remove programs
help

[alimahmoud]

i, dont have the Add options on win 10

[jovanekiii]

i already have minecraft here
i can download it, but "the specified path is not a valid directory" is just stopping me from doing anything about it. any help?

[ydncqqb]

Sir why am i still getting FileNotFound error even though i have given the premission

[johnkennethbuagayan]

i have no "security" option in my file

[notfilip]

Help? It says the parameter is incorrect

[tatar_konstantin]

Man! So much thanks. Nothing other did help for me. Spent yesterday 3 hours full of stress with all my work on the HDD. This solution worked

[erandeser]

Security tab says unavailable or cant be displayed. So a big nono

[mahmoudtarek]

worked for now, i hope it won't happen again. Thanks!

[jeremyocampo]

0:44 What if the folder is shared and I can't open properties So this won't help