Fixing the ‘Windows Cannot Access The Specified Device’ Error

Windows 10 is the latest version of Microsoft’s popular operating system. Although it comes with many improvements that users enjoy utilizing, it also has a fair total of errors and bugs that seem to pop up out of nowhere. One such problem is getting the following error message “Windows cannot access the specified device path or file” when attempting to open, modify, or delete a file/app.

The article below is a guide with optimum solutions to try when you receive this error.

What Causes the Windows Cannot Access The Specified Device Error?

Windows Cannot Access The Specified Device is an error that can occur when accessing a device or file. Several issues, such as a malfunctioning device, incorrect file permissions, or a missing driver, can cause this error.

Modify Permission of File or Folder

If you are trying to reach a particular file path (device path or file) on the device, but windows cannot access the specified device, then try to modify the permission of the file or folder. Appropriate permissions to a specified device path can resolve the error. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Navigate to the problematic file or folder and right-click the file/folder to select the properties option.

Step 2: In the properties window, move to the security tab, and under the section of group or user names, select your account. It will show up all access and given permissions.

Step 3: In the next step, click edit to change the permissions. Uncheck all the columns under the section deny. Click ok to complete the action. Reopen the file to check if the error persists or not.

Check File Location

If you get an error message, i.e., windows cannot access the specified device, try to locate the file manually. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Navigate to the file causing the file error and right-click it to select properties from the context menu.

Step 2: In the properties menu, move to the general tab and check the information associated with the file, folder, and shortcut for that target file.

Step 3: Now investigate the file’s location (file path) and copy the information.

Step 4: Launch file explorer from the windows main menu and paste the file path in the search box. Click enter to continue. It will take you to the desired file.

Unblock File to Access it

Sometimes, the accessibility errors like windows cannot access the specified device occurs due to the blocked file on the device. Windows cannot access the right file location or type in this context. Unblock the file from the properties menu to fix the inaccessible location issue. Here is how you can perform the action.

Step 1: Navigate to the target file with the error and right-click it to select properties from the drop-down menu.

Step 2: In the properties window, navigate to the option of the general tab and access the file information like file path, location, and shortcut.

Step 3: Move to the security section and check if there is any error message like This file came from another computer and might be blocked to help protect this computer.

Step 4: In the next step, check the box (if unchecked) for the option of unblock. Click ok to complete the action.

Ensure that you do not delete any files when you are unblocking them. A system restore point would be required to recover lost data and lost files.

Recreate Shortcut to File Location

If you are changing the location of the file time and again and creating the shortcut to that target file, then the shortcut won’t update automatically. This issue will end up causing the error, i.e., windows cannot access the specified device. So here is how you can resolve the error.

Step 1: Start by right-clicking anywhere on the main desktop of windows 10. Select the option of new, followed by selecting the shortcut tab.

Step 2: In the next pop-up window, under the option to type the item’s location, click on the button browse to enter the file location from the directory.

Step 3: Click ok to complete the action.

Temporarily Disable Third-Party Antivirus to Access the Specified Device Path

Most of the time, downloaded third-party antivirus software can cause windows cannot access the specified device error. Hence, disabling the third-party antivirus temporarily via task manager can serve the purpose. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Launch the task manager by right-clicking anywhere in the taskbar. Select the task manager option from the list and double-click the option to launch it.

Step 2: In the task manager window, navigate to the startup tab.

Step 3: Click the option of antivirus software running on your device. Right-click the software to select disable from the context menu. Click disable to complete the action.

Recommended: Fortect System Repair Tool – Fix Errors & Speed Up Windows Automatically

Check Your Network Location

A network location can help you access the specified device path. Your computer is given a network location when you connect to a network. This location is either a public or private network, and if the network is public, your computer will be limited in what it can access on the network. If the network is private, your computer will have full access to the resources on the network. By default, your computer is set to use the public network location.

To change this setting, complete the following steps;

1. Open the Network and Sharing Center and click the Change Adapter Settings link.
2. In the Network Connections window, select the adapter you want to change the network location and then click on the Properties button.
3. In the Properties window, select the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) tab and click the Properties button.
4. In the Properties window, select the Use The Following Network Location check box and choose either Private or Public from the drop-down list.
5. Click on OK to close all of the windows.

Frequently Asked Questions About Windows Cannot Access The Specified Device