Last updated on February 10th, 2024 at 08:00 pm

Installing certain programs and apps will be difficult if you get an error 5: Access is denied. You can encounter the Windows Error Code 0x5 (ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED) error when browsing locations, saving files, or downloading files.  There is a possibility that the Windows configuration is correct or that a corrupted user account is blocking you from installing the application. It doesn’t matter what the reason is for this; we’ve got you covered! In this article, we have mentioned some troubleshooting fixes that will help you resolve the Windows error 0x5. 

What Are The Causes of Windows Error Code 0x5?

This error occurs when Windows prevents an application or user from accessing a resource. There are various reasons for denying access, including:

1. Insufficient Permissions: Generally, insufficient permissions are to blame for this error. Windows will deny access to a resource if the account or application attempting access lacks the required permissions. 0x5 stands for Error Code 0x5.
2. System Security Policies: Some resources may not be accessible to people with certain security policies enabled in Windows. In some cases, this may be related to security settings that were configured by administrators or to policies that were imposed by third-party security software.
3. File or Registry Corruption: Files or the Windows registry can become corrupted, causing access denied errors. It may prevent Windows from granting resources access properly as a result of this corruption.
4. Virus or Malware Infection: The presence of malicious software, such as viruses or malware, can cause access-denied errors to occur on a computer.

How to Fix the Windows Error Code 0x5 (ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED)

There are several Windows error codes that indicate that the user does not have sufficient permissions to access the requested file or path. Therefore, you can fix it by providing proper permissions using the fixes we have mentioned below:

Fix 1: Login and Run as Administrator

The first thing you should do when your Windows 11/10 installation is denied is to run the installer with administrative rights:

1. Locate the installer for the software/program you want to install.
2. You can right-click the installer/setup program.
3. Thereafter, from the context menu, select Run as administrator.
   
   
4. Now, if you see a User Account Control window, click Yes.
5. Continue by following the on-screen instructions. Once this is done, you will no longer see Windows Error Code 0x5 (ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED). 

Also Read: 

1. How to Uninstall Edge on Windows 11

Fix 2: Check That The Computer’s BIOS is Up-to-Date

It has been reported that many users are able to fix the Windows Error Code 0x5 (ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED) error by updating their BIOS. Therefore, you must also give it a try:

1. When the BIOS splash screen appears, press F2.
2. Afterward, go to the main menu and select Update BIOS.
3. If the BIOS is up-to-date, a message will appear indicating that the update is successful. Moreover, it will display a message indicating that the BIOS needs to be updated, along with instructions for doing so.

Fix 3: Run SFC Scan

You must run a SFC Scan on your PC if you are not sure if it is just corrupted system files causing Windows Error Code 0x5 (ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED) errors:

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type cmd and Press Enter.
3. In the search box, type sfc/scannow.
   
   

Fix 4: Clean up Junk Files

To resolve the Windows Error Code 0x5 (ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED) issue, you may need to try cleaning up the cache or junk files from your device after running the SFC scan. In order to accomplish this:

1. Press Win + R.
2. Using the keyboard, type Cleanmgr and press Enter.
   
   
3. Click on the OS Drive and then click OK.
   
   
4. Last but not least, click on the Clean up System Files button.
   
   

Fix 5: Switch the User Account to an Admin Profile

It may be necessary to install the software under an admin account if the Run as administrator option does not work.

Therefore, it is possible that you will have to convert your standard account into an admin account. From the Control Panel, switch your profile to an administrator one as follows:

1. Go to the Win + X menu and click Run.
2. Input netplwiz into the text box and press Enter (or click OK).
   
   
3. To modify a target user profile, choose it.
4. Go to the Properties tab.
   
   
5. From the General tab, select Group Membership.
6. You can check the administrator.
   
   
7. Finally, click on the Apply button and then click OK.

Fix 6: Enable the built-in admin account via Command Prompt

With the built-in admin account, the user will have access to all permissions that otherwise would not be accessible. You can resolve Windows Error Code 0x5 (ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED) by enabling the built-in administrator account on your system:

1. Use the Windows key + X hotkey.
2. Next, choose Command Prompt (Admin).
3. Thereafter, enter the following command:net user administrator /active:yes
   
   
4. Once the Prompt has been closed, try installing the needed software.
5. Enter net user administrator /active:no to disable the built-in admin profile.

Fix 7: Modify Windows Registry Editor Entries

You might be able to resolve the Windows Error Code 0x5 by performing the following steps if running CMD with administrative privileges did not bring any good results:

1. Type regedit into Start and press Enter.
2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet//Services//LanmanServer//Parameters in the left pane.
   
   
3. To add a value, choose Edit > Add Value.
4. Set the new Value to MinFreeConnections.
5. After that, select Add > New > REG_DWORD.
6. In Registry Editor, set the new key Value to 5 and close it.
7. Then, right-click the Windows key and select Control Panel.
8. Click the Network icon and select Installed Network Software.
9. In the Installed Network Software section, highlight Server and select Configure.
10. Under Optimization, select Maximize Throughput for File Sharing.
11. Then click OK.
12. Once you have done that, open Start,
13. You should then type cmd, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.
14. You can type net stop server and net start server.
15. After each one, press Enter.

• Navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER//Software//Microsoft//Office//FrontPage//Addins
• Simply right-click FPE.com.AddIn and choose Delete.
• If the error still occurs after removing that, restart the machine.

Fix 8: Adjust the UAC Settings

To see if User Account Control can resolve your problem, we can try to change your settings a little bit to see if that helps. Here are the steps you need to follow to make changes to your UAC settings:

1. To begin, press the Windows key + X on your keyboard.
2. To open that accessory, select Run.
3. Enter UserAccountControlSettings and click OK.
   
   
4. On that window, drag the Never Notify bar to the left.
5. Then press OK and restart your device.
   
   

Also Read: 

1. How To Fix Windows Error Code 31 Network Adapter
2. Hidusb.sys BSoD: What is it & How to Fix it
3. Microsoft Error Code AADSTS51004 | How To Fix
4. How to Fix Microsoft Error Code AADSTS50020
5. How To Fix Windows Defender Not Opening or Crashing Issue

So, that’s how you can easily fix the Windows Error Code 0x5 (ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED) error. It’s our hope that the fixes we have told you earlier in this article have helped you. Feel free to comment below if you have any questions or concerns regarding this topic.

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