Question

access to hard drive is denied - what to do?

Answer 1

Why is access denied?
Get permissions for access
1st step:
2nd step:
3rd step:
4th step:
5th step:
6th step:
7th step:
Check hard drive for errors
1st step:
2nd step:
Quick guide: get access permissions

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There can be several reasons for Windows to deny access to the hard disk. We explain how to fix this problem..

You know the error message "C: \ cannot be accessed. Access is denied"? Then you are denied access to your hard drive. In Windows 10, this could be for many reasons, but luckily there are several solutions to fix the problem. In our instructions we explain exactly how to proceed.

• Why is access denied?
• Get permissions for access
• Check hard drive for errors

Why is access denied?

• If you are not an administrator and the file or folder is assigned to another user, you will be denied access to it. This problem can only be solved as an administrator.
• If you want to access a system file , you will also receive the error message here. These files are locked for security reasons and require administrator rights so that the files cannot be easily changed and result in a system failure.
• If the file is damaged , access will also be denied.
• If you are using an external hard drive and have removed it improperly, this could have damaged the hard drive .
• In some cases, an error on the hard drive can also lead to the refusal.

Get permissions for access

If you are an administrator, you can enforce access permissions. Follow our step-by-step instructions or read our brief instructions .

1st step:

Right click on the folder or file that you are denied access to and choose Properties at the very bottom .

2nd step:

In the new window at the top, switch to the " Security " tab and click on " Advanced "

3rd step:

Now click on " Add " in the new window .

4th step:

Go to " Add Principal " at the top , then enter the name of the user you want to grant access rights to. Confirm with " OK " and activate the required authorizations.

5th step:

Close all open windows with " OK " and then go back to the properties of the folder or file and switch to the " Security " tab .

6th step:

Under the category " Group or user names" click on the button " Edit ".

7th step:

Now select the name you entered previously and activate the " Full Control " option . Close all windows again with " OK ".

Check hard drive for errors

If the denial of access to the hard disk is caused by an error, you can eliminate it..

1st step:

Start the Command Prompt by typing cmd in the Windows Start menu and clicking on the Command Prompt at the top.

2nd step:

Enter the command chkdsk X: / f / r and confirm with [Enter] . Replace the letter X with the letter of the desired drive. Your hard drive will now be checked for errors. This can take a few hours, but you can continue to use the PC during this time. If an error is found, Windows will take care of it automatically.

Quick guide: get access permissions

1. Make a right click on the folder or file and select " Properties " from.
2. Then switch to " Security " and select " Advanced ".
3. Click on " Add ".
4. Now go to " Add Principal ", enter the user name and confirm with " OK ".
5. Open the " Properties " again and switch to " Security ".
6. Click Edit under Group or User Names .
7. Finally activate the option " Full Control " and confirm with " OK ".

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