Windows Cannot Access the Specified Device Path or File

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Have you ever tried to open a file, shortcut, or application on your Windows PC only to get hit with the frustrating message:
“Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item”?

You’re not alone—this is a common error in Windows 10 and 11, and the good news is that it’s usually fixable with a few simple steps. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly why this error happens, how to fix it, and what to do if the file is actually missing.

Let’s get started.

What Does Windows Cannot Access the Specified Device Path or File Mean—and Why Does It Happen?

windows-cannot-access-the-specified-device-path-or-file-mean

You’re trying to open a file, launch a shortcut, or access a folder—then suddenly you’re hit with a frustrating message:

Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item.”

This error is more common than you might think, especially on Windows 10 and 11. While the message sounds vague, it usually points to one of three core issues:

  1. The file or folder is missing or moved
  2. You don’t have permission to access it
  3. Windows or your antivirus blocked access

In some cases, it’s something as simple as a shortcut pointing to a file that no longer exists. Other times, it’s because Windows is trying to protect you from what it thinks is a suspicious file—especially if it came from the internet or another device.

This error often occurs in the following situations:

  • Opening shortcuts to deleted or moved files
  • Launching a program from an external or network drive
  • Accessing files from a different user profile
  • Opening downloaded files without unblocking them
  • Trying to access folders without full permission

Now that you know what it means and why it shows up, let’s walk through the most effective fixes.

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Full Fixes to Resolve the Error

Let’s now walk through each possible fix in detail. Whether you’re a beginner or someone with basic Windows knowledge, follow each step carefully until the issue is resolved.

✅ Fix 1: Verify the File or Shortcut Actually Exists

The first and most basic check is to ensure the file you’re trying to access still exists at the original location. Sometimes, the file has been moved, renamed, or deleted, and the shortcut you’re using points to a non-existent path.

How to do it:

  1. Right-click on the shortcut or file that’s showing the error.
  2. From the dropdown menu, click on “Properties.”
  3. In the Properties window, stay on the “Shortcut” tab (if it’s a shortcut).
  4. Look at the “Target” field. This shows the full path to where the file is supposed to be located.
  5. Copy the path, or manually open File Explorer and navigate to the folder indicated in the path.
  6. Check if the file is present. If not, it was likely deleted or moved.

What to do next:

  • If the file was moved, navigate to its new location, then right-click > Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).
  • If the file is completely gone, scroll down to the Bonus Tip: File Recovery with WinfrGUI.
winfrgui-free-502x234

✅ Fix 2: Unblock the File (Common with Downloaded Files)

Files downloaded from the internet or copied from another computer may be blocked by Windows for security reasons. This can prevent you from opening them even if everything else is set up correctly.

Steps to unblock:

  1. Right-click on the file you’re trying to open.
  2. Select “Properties” from the context menu.
  3. In the General tab of the Properties window, look near the bottom for a section that says: “This file came from another computer and might be blocked to help protect this computer.”
  4. If this message appears, check the box labeled “Unblock.”
  5. Click “Apply”, then click “OK.”
  6. Now, try opening the file again.

✅ Fix 3: Adjust Security Permissions for the File or Folder

Windows can block you from accessing a file or folder if your user account does not have proper permissions. You’ll need to manually allow full access.

Steps to check and modify permissions:

  1. Right-click on the file or folder that’s giving the error.
  2. Click on “Properties.”
  3. Navigate to the “Security” tab.
  4. Under the list of “Group or user names,” click on your Windows username.
  5. Click the “Edit…” button below the list.
  6. In the new window, under “Permissions for [your username]”, check the “Allow” box next to “Full control.”
  7. Click “Apply”, then click “OK.”

Optional: Take ownership of the file or folder

If the above doesn’t work:

  1. Go back to the “Security” tab and click on “Advanced.”
  2. At the top, you’ll see “Owner:” – click the “Change” link next to it.
  3. In the box that pops up, type in your Windows username and click “Check Names.”
  4. Windows will automatically validate the name. Then click “OK.”
  5. Back in the Advanced Security Settings window, check the box that says “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects.”
  6. Click “Apply”, then “OK.”

Try opening the file again now.

✅ Fix 4: Temporarily Disable Antivirus or Security Software

Sometimes your antivirus or Windows Defender can block access to files it mistakenly flags as threats.

Caution:

This fix is temporary. You should re-enable your antivirus immediately after testing whether it’s the cause.

How to disable Windows Defender temporarily:

  1. Open the Start menu and type “Windows Security.” Open it.
  2. Click on “Virus & threat protection.”
  3. Under “Virus & threat protection settings,” click on “Manage settings.”
  4. Toggle the Real-time protection switch to Off.
  5. Try opening the file again.

Tip: If the file opens now, your antivirus was likely the cause. You can go into your antivirus software and whitelist or add an exception for the file or folder.

✅ Fix 5: Check If the Drive or Network Location Is Available

If you’re trying to access a file that lives on a removable drive or a network location, Windows might not be able to reach it, especially if the drive has been disconnected or turned off.

What to check:

  1. Open File Explorer (Windows + E).
  2. Check if the external USB, SSD, SD card, or mapped network drive appears in the list.
  3. If not:
    • For external drives: Unplug and reconnect it. Try a different USB port.
    • For network drives: Ensure the network is connected and the remote device is on.

For network paths:

  1. Go to This PC in File Explorer.
  2. Click on the “Map network drive” option in the top menu.
  3. Re-map the drive using the correct path (e.g., \\ServerName\SharedFolder).
  4. Make sure the folder is shared and accessible with your user permissions.

✅ Fix 6: Create a New Shortcut to the File

Sometimes, the shortcut itself is broken—even if the file still exists. Recreating the shortcut ensures that it’s pointing to the correct location.

To create a new shortcut:

  1. Navigate to the actual file location in File Explorer.
  2. Right-click the file > select “Send to” > “Desktop (create shortcut).”
  3. Use this new shortcut going forward.
  4. Delete the old one that caused the issue.

✅ Fix 7: Try a New Windows User Account

If nothing else works, and you suspect your user account may be corrupted, try accessing the file from a different account.

How to create a new local account:

  1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
  2. Under Other users, click “Add someone else to this PC.”
  3. Select “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information,” then choose “Add a user without a Microsoft account.”
  4. Create a new local user account, assign it a name and password.
  5. Set the new account as Administrator.
  6. Log out of your current account and log in with the new one.
  7. Try opening the same file again.

If it works, your old user profile may be corrupted and you can consider migrating your data.

✅ What If the File Was Deleted or Missing?

Here’s the twist: sometimes Windows shows this error because the file doesn’t exist anymore, and you didn’t even realize it.

Maybe it was:

  • Deleted during cleanup
  • Removed by antivirus
  • Lost in a disk or partition issue

If that’s the case, you’ll need a data recovery tool.

Try WinfrGUI – A Free Windows File Recovery Tool

If you suspect the file was accidentally deleted or lost, WinfrGUI can help. It’s a free recovery tool that offers a graphical interface for Microsoft’s own Windows File Recovery command-line utility.

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Why use it?

  • No technical skills needed
  • Recovers photos, documents, videos, and more
  • Works on internal drives, USBs, and SD cards

Just download WinfrGUI, select the drive where the file was located, choose the scan type, and click “Start Recovery.”

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If the file is recoverable, you’ll see it in the scan results and can restore it in a few clicks.

My Experience With This Error (and How I Fixed It)

I personally ran into this issue when trying to open a Word document I downloaded from a client. Every time I double-clicked it, I saw the dreaded error.

Turns out, Windows had blocked the file due to its internet source. Once I went into Properties and hit Unblock, it opened instantly.

Another time, I couldn’t access a file because I had changed user accounts and didn’t have the right permissions anymore. After adjusting the file’s security settings, everything worked again.

These little things make a big difference.

Additional Tips & Trusted Sources

  • This issue is well-documented on Microsoft’s official support page
  • Check forums like Microsoft Answers or Reddit for real-world fixes
  • Always keep backups to avoid data loss
  • If you handle sensitive or work files, consider syncing them with OneDrive

Conclusion

The error “Windows cannot access the specified device path or file” may seem scary at first—but it’s usually fixable within minutes once you identify the root cause.

Here’s a quick recap:

  • Check if the file or shortcut is broken
  • Unblock the file
  • Fix permissions or ownership
  • Disable antivirus if needed
  • Reconnect drives or remap network paths
  • Recreate shortcuts

And if the file is actually missing or deleted, don’t panic—WinfrGUI is a solid, free recovery tool that could help you get it back quickly and safely.

Have you dealt with this error before? Drop your fix in the comments and help others out.

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