Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file fix

While trying to open a file or a program, you may come across the “Windows cannot access the specified device,path or file” error quite often. There can be different reasons why you would see this error, for instance, if you are not the administrator and hence, don’t have access permission, if the file damaged, hidden, or removed by the 3rd party antivirus, the application shortcut is damaged, the 3rd party antivirus may be blocking the files, or Windows is blocking the files.

While you may try disabling the 3rd party antivirus software and see if the error is fixed, You may also try the methods below to fix the “Windows cannot access the specified device,path or file” error. Let’s see how.

 

Method 1: By Double-Checking the File Location

 

It may be possible that the file will open only if you insert the removable drive that contains the file. So, if the removable drive is not available, the path may show incorrect and the error pops up when you try to open a file without it. So, double-check if it’s showing the correct location.

 

Step 1: Right-click on the file or folder that’s showing the error and select Properties from the menu.

 



Problem File Right Click Properties

 

Step 2: In the Properties window, under the General tab, go to the Location field and check if it’s showing the correct path and if it can be accessed.

 

Properties General Tab Location Ok

 

If the path is incorrect or not available, insert the removable drive to access the file.

However, if the path is correct and it’s still not working, then you may try unblocking the file.

 

Method 2: By Unblocking the File

 

Step 1: Right-click on the file or folder that’s showing the error and select Properties from the menu.

 

Problem File Right Click Properties

 

Step 2: In the Properties window, under the General tab, go to the Security section at the bottom.

Check the box next to Unblock.

Press Apply and then OK to save the changes.

 

Properties General Security Unblock Check Mark Apply Ok

 

 

This should fix the error and you can now open the desired file or folder without any issue, however, if the problem persists, you may try changing the permission to Administrator.

 

Method 3: By Changing the File/Folder Permissions to Administrator

 

Before you proceed with the fix, make sure you check the permissions for the file/folder.

 

Step 1: Right-click on the file or folder that’s showing the error and select Properties from the menu.

 

Problem File Right Click Properties

 

Step 2: In the Properties dialogue box, select the Security tab and go to the Group or user names field.

Now, select your name under it and click on Edit.

 

Properties Security Group Or User Names Select Name Edit

 

Step 3: In the Permissions dialogue box, go to the Permissions for SYSTEM section below and check if the permissions you want are check marked in the Allow column.

 

Step 4: If you notice that the boxes under the Allow column are not checked, it means that you need to set permissions.

Press OK to go back to the Security tab in the Properties window, and click on Advanced.

 

Properties Security Advanced

 

Step 5: In the Advanced Security Settings window, navigate to the Owner section and click on Change.

 

Advanced Security Settings Owner Change

 

Step 6: Next, in the Select User or Group dialogue box, press the Advanced button below.

 

Select User Or Group Advanced

 

Step 7: In the next window, go to the Common Queries section and click on Find Now.

It will generate the Search results below. Select the Administrators account and press OK.

 

Select User Or Group Common Queries Find Now Search Results Administrators

 

Step 8: Now, back in the Advanced Security Settings window, under the Permissions tab, click on Disable inheritance at the bottom.



 

Advanced Security Settings Permissions Disable Inheritence

 

Step 9: In the Block Inheritance window, select Convert inheritance permissions into explicit permissions on this object.

 

Block Inheritance Convert Inheritance Permissions Into Explicit Permissions On This Object

 

Step 10: Now, under the Permissions entries, if you see Deny next to Authenticated users, double-click to open it.

Step 11: In the next window, go to the Type field and set it to Allow.

Press OK to save the changes.

 

Permissions Entry Type Allow Ok

 

Step 12: Back in the Advanced Security Settings window, press Apply and then OK to save the changes and exit.

 

Now, you can try opening the file or folder and it should open with any error.