Resolve Windows Cannot Access the specified Device, Path, or File error:
Have you tried installing, starting or updating specific program or file, you receive the following error message?
If you can’t access your file or folder because of the error: Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file, don’t be frightened, we got you. You can follow these steps shown below to resolve the issue.
Step 1: Admin Level
Please make sure that you are running an account with administrative privileges or you are running your administrator account, to run the file.
1. Please right-click the file
2. Select Run as Administrator option, if prompted select OK/YES
3. Continue running/installing the file by following the on-screen instructions
Step 2: Check the file location
Double-check if the file has been moved or deleted by navigating its location, once deleted or moved, you are more likely to see this error. To fix, just find the file location and from there you can follow step 1.
Step 3: File permission
Make sure that the file you are opening have the proper and full permission to run on your computer, if you are using different account on your computer that account needs to have a administrator permission to run.
1. Please right-click the file, and then select Properties
2. Select the Security tab
3. Under Group or User names, click the account name you are using to see the permissions you have
4. Select Edit, and then check the check boxes for the permissions that you need, and then select OK
Step 4: Recreate your shortcut file
You may also receive this error if you are opening a shortcut file that has been corrupted, to fix just simply go to the original file and recreate the shortcut.
1. Kindly right-click the file
2. Select Create shortcut or Send to > Desktop (Create Shortcut)
Step 5: Unblock the file
In some instances, Windows may block specific file, to unblock it
1. Please right-click the blocked file and then select Properties
2. General tab, select Unblock if the option is available
Step 6: Check your Security/Antivirus software program
Check your antivirus program if the specific file you are opening has been blocked or your security program is blocking it, you may disable/turn-off your security program temporarily and run the file.
(I highly suggest running only files or programs that you trust.)
Step 7: Check the file/program if it’s corrupted
If you are trying to install an app or program, please check if the program is not corrupted, you can re-download the file from its original source to ensure that you have the valid or correct version.
Step 8: Check program compatibility
If you have currently migrated programs/files from different version of Windows operating system, please run the compatibility troubleshooter to fix the issue.
1. Please right-click the file/program
2. Select Troubleshoot Compatibility option
3. Select recommended settings
4. Tap test the program
5. Click Next
I hope this helps!
Happy Fixing,
Chris