Fix: Windows Cannot Access the Specified Device, Path or File

Here in this article we will check out how to Fix Windows Cannot Access the Specified Device, Path or File. Do you frequently see the error message “Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file” when attempting to open a file or program? It’s possible that you don’t have the necessary authorization to use the item. One of the most recent iterations of Microsoft’s hugely well-liked operating system is called Windows 11/10. Although it brings numerous enhancements that people adore, it also has a good number of mistakes and issues that seem to appear out of nowhere.

Windows shows the error indicated above for a number of reasons. To solve the issue, try any of the simple solutions listed below. We all have a ton of programs, files, and folders on our computers, and occasionally, when we try to open them, we get various errors. One of them is the error “Windows Cannot Access the Specified Device Path or File”. If so, you are not the only one. This error can occur for a number of reasons, such as when the file is missing or when you do not have administrator access. However, there is always a solution to a problem. Therefore, read on to learn how to Fix Windows Cannot Access the Specified Device, Path or File. If you want to know more information about this visit official Microsoft support site.

Deselect the Unblock File Setting

The problem “cannot access the specified device” can occur when Windows restricts access to files downloaded from dubious web sources. When that occurs, a file’s properties window will display an Unblock checkbox. You can deactivate the Unblock file setting as follows:

1. Click the taskbar button labeled “Start,” then from the menu that appears, choose “File Explorer.”
2. A folder containing the problematic file should be opened.
3. Properties can be accessed by right-clicking the impacted file.
4. If the properties window doesn’t open with the General tab by default, click it.
5. If you notice a checkbox labeled “Unblock,” uncheck it.
6. To save the updated file settings, select Apply.
7. To end the file’s properties window, click OK.

Recreate a Program’s Shortcut

Fix: Windows Cannot Access the Specified Device, Path or File: If you try to launch a software shortcut and get the “cannot access the specified device” error, there may be a problem with the shortcut itself. In this situation, creating a new shortcut for the affected software may fix the problem. On your desktop, follow these instructions:

1. To select New, right-click anywhere on the desktop where there aren’t any overlapping icons.
2. To access a tool for creating desktop shortcuts, click Shortcut.
3. Select an EXE file for which the error occurs by clicking Browse, and then click OK.
4. Select Next and type a title for the shortcut in the text box.
5. To add the new software shortcut, click Finish.
6. To delete an old program shortcut (the trash can button in Windows 11), use the right-click menu.

Enable Admin Permissions With Group Policy Editor

Users have verified that the Group Policy Editor’s admin approval mode can fix the file access error. However, the Group Policy Editor is only included in the Pro and Enterprise editions of Windows 10 and 11. If Group Policy Editor is available to you, consider enabling admin approval mode as follows:

1. Open Group Policy Editor, then choose Computer Configuration.
2. For that setting category to be expanded, double-click Windows Settings.
3. Then, in the sidebar of the Group Policy Editor, double-click Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options.
4. Double-click the Built-in Administrator account policy’s admin approval mode link.
5. Select the Enabled radio button after that.
6. To implement the policy, click Apply.
7. To close the Group Policy Manager tool and the policy setting window, select OK.

Double-Check the File’s Location

1. Double-check the locations of the files you’re trying to run or open by right-clicking desktop shortcuts for them and selecting Properties.
2. Then you can check the path for the shortcut in the Target box shown directly below.
3. That Target box will show whether the file is on another drive.
4. If it is, connect the external drive that includes the file to your PC to access it.
5. Double-check that the file specified hasn’t been deleted if the Target box references the local C: drive.
6. To do that, open the folder path specified in File Explorer.
7. Should you discover a shortcut’s file has been deleted, you might be able to retrieve it.
8. Open the Recycle Bin to see if the file is in it.
9. If so, right-click the file and select Restore.

Edit the File’s Permissions

Insufficient file permissions are another reason why the error message “cannot access the specified device” appears. You can fix that by changing the permissions on the relevant files. Therefore, try changing the file’s permissions in the following way:

1. Open a directory containing a file that generates the “cannot access the specified device” error.
2. With the right mouse button, click a damaged file and choose the Properties option.
3. Within the properties window, choose Security.
4. Next, pick the Windows user account that you use to log in.
5. Select Edit from the menu.
6. On the Permissions window that appears, choose your Windows user account.
7. Deselect (uncheck) every checkbox for the Deny permission.
8. To configure the updated permission settings, select Apply.
9. On the Permissions and Properties windows, click the OK buttons.

Disable Potentially Unwanted App Blocking

A Windows Security feature called unwanted app blocking stops low-quality software and apps from functioning. When activated, such feature may result in the “cannot access the specified device” problem. If undesired app blocking is activated, you can do the following to turn it off:

1. To the right of the taskbar, in the system tray area, double-click the shield (Windows Security) symbol.
2. To view the system tray icons, you might also need to click the small up arrow on the taskbar.
3. In Windows Security, click the App & browser control tab.
4. Then, to explore further settings, click the Reputation-based protection settings link.
5. If the option to block apps is selected, deactivate it.

What Causes The Error?

The error message “Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file” has a number of potential causes. The most frequent reason for this is that you do not have the proper access rights to the file, the device it is on, or the folder it is inside. Another reason for the issue is that opening a file from a shortcut on a network or separate device may take longer than anticipated. The device, folder, or file may have been relocated or destroyed, or it’s possible that the shortcut or the file itself is damaged. Windows may block the file for some other reason or your antivirus program may determine that it poses a hazard.