Windows Cannot Access Specified Device Path or File
Asked By
nick rourke 0 points N/APosted on - 11/23/2013
I need help on my Windows XP computer. I can't seem to access anything. It always ends up with error "Windows cannot access specified device path or file". It occurs when updating a software or even if I am just trying to open anything. What steps should I do to fix this?
Windows Cannot Access Specified Device Path or File
This error could be because of the following:
1. You don't have permissions to access the file or its location. To fix this, ensure that you are under the Administrator account or part of the Domain Admin. Right-click on the file or folder and click Properties. Click the Security tab. On the Group or User names, click your username to check on the permissions you have. Then click the Edit button to open the Permissions for test window. Check the check boxes below for the permissions and then click OK.
2. The file or program you are trying to access is on a location that could not be access or in a external drive that is not connected to your PC. This can happen if the file you are trying to access is from a removable drive. Check if you can access the location.
3. The file or program you are trying to access has been moved or deleted.
4. The file is damaged or corrupted. If this is the case, try to recreate a shortcut of the file. This way you can check if its corrupted. Or you can also try to repair the application to fix it.
5. The file is blocked by Windows or by your antivirus software. If the file has been blocked by Windows, check on its properties. There should be a "This file came from another computer and might be blocked to help protect this computer" message. If its blocked, right-click on it and click Properties. Under the General tab, click Unblock. If the file has been blocked by your antivirus, disable your antivirus temporarily.
Windows Cannot Access Specified Device Path or File
This problem may cause for many reasons. User don't have the permission to the file. The file is on a location where it is not accessible. File has been moved or removed. Files is corrupted. It may be blocked by your antivirus. So remove this and try to Norton Antivirus its work great.
Other option is Start Internet Explorer>> Click on “Tools”>>Click on “Internet Option”>> Select Internet and custom level. In the misc option set the lunching application and unsafe files. There is a another Techyv post where you will get more information about this issue.
Windows Cannot Access Specified Device Path or File
The full error reads, “Error: Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permission to access the item.” This normally happens when you try to install, update, or start a program or open a file. To fix the problem, you need to check the permission of the file or folder. Right-click the file or folder then select “Properties”.
In the properties window, go to “Security” tab then under “Group or user names”, select your name to see the permissions you have.
Select your name to see your permissions
Next, click “Edit” then check the appropriate boxes for the permissions you need and then click “OK”. This should fix the problem. If this doesn’t work, check the location of the file or folder. Right-click the file or folder then select “Properties”. In the properties window, go to “Shortcut” tab then check the path of the item in “Target”. Verify that this path is valid and accessible.
If the path points to a network drive or a USB flash drive, check if the computer where the path points to is turned on and running. If it is a USB flash drive, plug the flash drive on the USB port then try again.
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