Fix Access Denied Error When Saving Permission Changes in Windows 11
Encountering the error message stating “Unable to save permission changes, Access is denied”is a frequent problem faced by Windows users, often arising due to several circumstances. Typically, the underlying issue pertains to permission settings, user roles, or security configurations.
This error may appear when attempting to alter permissions on files or folders without adequate administrative privileges, trying to modify system-protected files, or if the file is currently in use by another process. It can likewise occur with write-protected external drives or under Group Policy restrictions in corporate environments.
The complete error message appears as follows:
Unable to save permission changes on [filename].
Access is denied
How to Fix Unable to Save Permission Changes, Access is Denied
To resolve the “Unable to save permission changes, Access is denied”issue in Windows Security on Windows 11/10, consider implementing these solutions:
- Take Ownership of the file or folder
- Restore permissions to default
- Enable the hidden Administrator account
Before you proceed, it is advisable to create a system restore point to reverse system changes if necessary.
1] Take Ownership of the file or folder
There are several methods to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows 11. Here’s a step-by-step guide for each.
A] Using Advanced Security Options in File Explorer
This method is the easiest and most user-friendly way to take ownership via the graphical interface.
Ensure that File Explorer (or whatever tool you’re using to modify permissions) is running with administrative privileges. Right-click on the file or folder and select Properties. Then, navigate to the Security tab and click on Advanced.
In the Advanced Security Settings window, click Change next to the owner’s name. Input your user account name in the Select User or Group window, or select Advanced > Find Now to choose it from the list.
Your name should now be displayed as the new owner in the Advanced Security Settings window. Check Replace owner on subcontainers and objects to take ownership of all subfolders and files within that folder.
B] Using the TAKEOWN Command:
The takeown command is a quick solution for taking ownership of system or multiple files.
Open Command Prompt as an administrator and enter the following command:
takeown /F "file_or_folder_path"/R /D Y
Replace “file_or_folder_path” with the full path to the file (including its extension) or the folder you wish to take ownership of.
The /F flag specifies the file, /R enables recursive ownership (for subfolders and files), and /D Y forces acceptance of ownership without prompting.
After executing this, you can apply further commands to set permissions for the file.
C] Using the ICACLS Command
While primarily used for managing permissions, icacls can also take ownership of files and folders.
Open Command Prompt as an administrator and execute:
icacls "file_or_folder_path"/setowner "owner_name"/T /C
Replace “file_or_folder_path” with the path to the relevant file or folder.
The /setowner flag changes ownership, the /T flag ensures these changes apply recursively, and the /C flag continues the operation even if some errors occur (such as file locks or permission issues).
2] Restore Permissions to Default
By resetting the file or folder’s permissions to their original state (as they were when Windows was installed or the file created), you can eliminate any custom settings obstructing access or modifications, which may lead to the ‘Access is denied’ error.
To reset permissions, open Command Prompt with admin rights and run the following command:
icacls "file_or_folder_path"/reset /T /C
You can also utilize a graphical tool called Reset NTFS file permission to reset NTFS file permissions in Windows.
3] Enable the Hidden Administrator Account
The hidden Administrator account is a built-in Windows account endowed with elevated privileges, allowing comprehensive control over the system. This account can facilitate ownership and permission alterations on files or folders that regular administrator accounts might be unable to manage.
To enable this hidden Administrator account, execute the following command within an elevated Command Prompt:
net user administrator /active:yes
Once activated, log in to Windows using this account (it will appear on the login screen) and then try to modify the file permissions again.
Unable to Save Permission Changes on Wuauserv
The Wuauserv service governs Windows Updates on a Windows 11/10 PC. This service is protected by the operating system, and changing its permissions without the necessary privileges can trigger the ‘Access is denied’ error. To remedy this, take ownership of the Wuauserv service and then adjust the permissions. However, be cautious as this may expose your system to security risks; proceed only if essential.
Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter. Locate Windows Update from the list and stop the service (right-click > Stop).
Next, press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Navigate to the key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv
Right-click on the wuauserv folder in the left panel and select Permissions. In the Permissions dialogue, click Advanced. Beside the Owner field, click Change.
In the Select User or Group window, type in your username, then click Check Names, and click OK.
Return to the Advanced Security Settings box, check Replace owner on subcontainers and objects, then click OK to exit the dialog.
After taking ownership, you can modify the permissions. Once you have finished, restart the Windows Update service.
Unable to Save Permission Changes: The Media is Write Protected
The message ‘Unable to save permission changes on [file/folder]. The media is write protected’ occurs when you try to alter existing file or folder permissions on a storage device that has write protection enabled. This could involve a USB drive, external hard drive, SD card, or even an internal drive. To resolve this issue, use the Diskpart utility to eliminate the write protection on the drive.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and execute the following commands, one at a time:
diskpart
This command launches the Diskpart tool. Next, run:
list disk
You’ll see a list of all connected disks. Then, execute:
select disk X
Replace ‘X’ with the number corresponding to the disk giving you the error. Next, execute:
attributes disk clear readonly
This command will remove the write protection from the disk (if write protection is applied to a single volume on the disk, you may need to clear it at the volume level as well).
Finally, type exit to close Diskpart.
Unable to Save Permission Changes on USB: Access is Denied
The error message ‘Unable to save permission changes on USB. Access is denied’ can arise when attempting to modify file or folder permissions on a USB drive without the required privileges. Check whether the USB drive is write-protected through a physical switch or software settings, and disable any such protection if applicable. You may want to take ownership of the USB drive by adjusting its properties and permissions accordingly. Additionally, try connecting the USB drive to a different USB port or computer to rule out hardware issues.
How Do I Get Permission to Access a File in Windows 11?
To obtain permission for accessing a file in Windows 11, utilize an administrator account to take ownership of the file and assign yourself the necessary permissions (like full control). The administrator account possesses the necessary privileges to modify file ownership and permissions. You can check your account’s administrative status by visiting the Settings app and navigating to the Accounts > Your info section.
How Do I Fix Permission Denied in Windows 11?
If you’re part of a workgroup or domain, contact your system administrator to adjust policies or grant appropriate access rights. If you have administrator rights, take ownership of the file or folder and amend the security permissions. Booting into Safe Mode can also help momentarily disable non-essential software that may interfere with permission changes, making it easier to resolve these access issues.
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