At times, while accessing a folder in Windows 10, you might get “You have been denied permission to access this folder. To gain access to this folder you will need to use the security tab” error.
The “You have been denied permission to access this folder. To gain access to this folder you will need to use the security tab” error appears when you are trying to access a system protected folder in Windows 10 or earlier versions of Windows. You get the error if you try to access WindowsApps folder, for instance.
To get access to the folder in question, you need to make appropriate changes to folder’s permission and it can be done with ease. However, you must have admin rights, or you need admin password in order to change permissions of system files and folders on a Windows 10 machine.
So, in this guide, we will see how to get rid of “You have been denied permission to access this folder. To gain access to this folder you will need to use the security tab” error and access any folder on a Windows 10 PC.
Three ways to fix You have been denied permission to access this folder error
Method 1 of 3
Take ownership of file/folder
Step 1: Open up File Explorer. Navigate to the location where the folder that you want to take ownership of is located.
Step 2: Right-click on the folder and then click Properties.
Step 3: Move to the Security tab. Click Advanced button to open Advanced Security Settings for the current folder.
Step 4: You should now see Change link next to the owner field. Click the Change link to open Select this object type dialog.
Step 5: Here, in Enter the object name to select filed, type Administrators, and then click Check Names button. Finally, click OK button to see Advanced Security Settings.
Step 6: Finally, check Replace owner on subcontainers and objects option. Click Apply button to take the ownership of the folder. That’s it!
You can access or open the folder now without the above mentioned error.
Method 2 of 3
Add take ownership to file/folder context menu in Windows 10
The above method is perfect to take ownership of files/folders in Windows 10. However, if you feel that the procedure is long and takes considerable amount of time, you can add a Take ownership option to file/folder context menu to quickly take ownership of files and folders in Windows 10.
Step 1: Follow the step-by-step instructions in our how to add Take Ownership option to right-click menu in Windows 10 guide to add Take Ownership option to file/folder context menu.
Step 2: Right-click on the folder that you want to take ownership of, and click Take Ownership option. That’s it!
You should now be able to open or access the folder without “You have been denied permission to access this folder. To gain access to this folder you will need to use the security tab” error.
Method 3 of 3
Use TakeOwnershipEx utility to take ownership of folders
There are quite a few third-party utilities out there to enable you take ownership of files and folders in Windows operating system. One of them is TakeOwnershipEx utility.
To take ownership of a file/folder, run TakeOwnershipEx tool, click Take Ownership and select a file/folder to take ownership of that file/folder. You can also right-click on a folder and then click Take ownership/restore ownership option to take or restore ownership of a folder.
Peter Josephs says
That worked fine for me. Thanks.
Robert Demaree says
What if it doesn’t have a security tab–or, if you assign FULL ACCESS to EVERYONE, and it STILL says permission denied?!?!
Robert says
Really thx so much !
Rockson Anointed says
I almost lost hope of recovering my files until I came across this article.
THUMBS UP!!!
Alfred Raselengwane says
It keeps on telling me that there is an error
ahmed says
my Properties of this particular partition does not have a security option. in this case what to do
Ibrahima Sory Cammara says
Thank you
Thanks says
Helped me a lot, first method worked for me, Thanks
James Katona says
No such luck – Windows 10
Method 1: I click change as in Step 4, but the next screen just tells me I do not have permission to view or edit the permissions.
Method 2: Ended up at the same do not have permission screen.
Method 3: Targeted folders did not change – – you have attempted an unauthorized operations.
Any other suggestions?
Tawiah says
You’re the man! Method 1 worked for me. At first, I thought it was a virus and Google directed me to your article. I’ll buy you a beer when I see you. :)
BWZ1975 says
This is telling what is (could be) the culprit of the issue and how to resolve without taking ownership, but by modifying necessary permissions.
Sean says
Thanks a lot for this article. Saved me a lot of frustration.
Paul C says
Excellent, saved my day, thanks