Windows requires permissions for the deportment you perform on your computer. But it'southward your estimator, right? So why do you need permission to access certain files and folders? There are a couple of answers that link together.

Windows wants to protect you from accessing sure files because editing those files could damage the operating organization. Thus, if your Windows user business relationship doesn't take the correct privileges, you cannot access certain files or folders.

When that happens, you'll run into the "You lot need permission to perform this activeness" error bulletin.

Information technology is frustrating, for certain. But here are five fixes for the error.

one. Check Your Windows User Account Type

One of the most common fixes for "You need permission to perform this activity" error is to check your Windows user account blazon. There are three chief types of Windows user business relationship: Administrator, Standard, and Invitee.

Your Windows user account type defines the range of activities you can access on the Windows machine:

  • Administrator: An Administrator account controls the entire computer, including the other Windows user accounts.
  • Standard: A Standard account can apply the calculator and has admission to programs, media, and then on, simply typically cannot install new programs or remove existing programs. The standard account comes with other restrictions (or privileges), depending on the decisions of the administrator.
  • Guest: Guest accounts are used primarily for outsiders who require very exceptional access to the computer. A Guest account will have the fewest access privileges.

If you are using a Standard or a Guest account, y'all volition demand permission for certain files and folders carrying admission restrictions. In some cases, the permissions restriction error screen will include the option to input the Ambassador user account countersign. If you know the admin, you may ask them to input their password to remove the restriction, thus fixing the error.

Nonetheless, this is a temporary fix that does not grant continual access to the entire computer.

How to Check Your Windows User Account Type

To cheque the type of Windows user account you are using, caput to Control Panel > User Accounts. The user account type will display along with your username.

check windows user account type

2. Take Full Control of the File or Binder

A Windows Administrator user account can take control of the file or binder from another user grouping on the system. Sometimes file permissions issues out, or another user changes the file access permissions, denying your Windows user business relationship access.

Right-click the file or folder you lot want to take full control of and select Properties. Select the Security tab, followed past the Advanced option.

windows properties advanced security

When the Advanced Security Settings window opens, select Change to open the Select User or Group options. At present, select Find Now to unfurl a list of users on your system. Scan to your Windows user account name, then OK.

windows 10 list of windows user account names

Dorsum on the Avant-garde Security Settings window, check the box to Supersede owner on subcontainers and objects, then select Apply.

After taking full control of the file or folder, you will non see the permission error any longer.

3. Add Yourself to the Administrators Group

In certain circumstances, y'all can add together yourself to the Administrators Group on the system. However, this will not work if you are using a Standard Windows user account that is restricted from an Administrator user business relationship.

windows 10 computer management user accounts

Follow these steps to add your name every bit a member to the Administrator account:

  1. Press Windows Cardinal + X then select Computer Management.
  2. Head to Local Users and Groups > Users, where you'll see a list of user accounts.
  3. Right-click your username and select Backdrop, then open the Fellow member Of tab.
  4. Press Add, then in the Enter the object names to select box, input "Administrators."
  5. Select Check Names, and so OK.

Yous'll demand to restart your PC before the changes have place.

4. Boot into Prophylactic Mode

Sometimes a Windows upshot may finish you accessing a specific file or folder. To see if information technology is a problems, you can boot into safety mode, then effort to access the restricted file.

There are several means to enter Windows safe mode. The easiest is to press Windows Key + R, input msconfig, and press Enter.

Open the Boot tab. Under Boot options, select Safe boot.

Now, press Apply and restart your system.

msconfig boot mode options

Once your system boots, attempt to admission the restricted file.

Before rebooting back into Windows over again, open msconfig and uncheck the Safe boot choice, then press Apply. If you don't uncheck the option, Windows will boot directly dorsum into condom mode over again.

5. Run SFC and CHKDSK

Another method for fixing the "You need permission to perform this activeness" fault is to bank check for a corrupt file. Windows System File Cheque (SFC) is an integrated Windows system tool you can utilise to check for errors.

Before running the SFC command, yous need to check it is working properly. To practice this, we use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool, or DISM.

Like SFC, DISM is an integrated Windows utility with a wide range of functions. In this case, the DISM Restorehealth command ensures that our next fix will piece of work properly.

Hither'due south how you use DISM and SFC:

  1. Type Control Prompt (Admin) in the Starting time menu search bar, then right-click and select Run as administrator to open an elevated Control Prompt.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter: DISM /online /cleanup-epitome /restorehealth
  3. Wait for the control to complete. The process can take upward to 20 minutes, depending on your system's health. The process seems stuck at certain times, but look for information technology to complete.
  4. When the process completes, blazon sfc /scannow and press Enter.
windows 10 dism sfc scannow

CHKDSK is some other Windows system tool that checks your file structure. Dissimilar SFC, CHKDSK scans your unabridged drive for errors, whereas SFC scans your Windows organisation files specifically. Similar SFC, run the CHKDSK scan from the Control Prompt to fix your auto.

  1. Blazon command prompt in your Kickoff carte du jour search bar, then correct-click the best match and select Run as administrator. (Alternatively, printing Windows primal + X, and so select Command Prompt (Admin)from the menu.)
  2. Next, type chkdsk /r and press Enter. The command will scan your system for errors and ready whatever bug along the way.

Later SFC and CHKDSK complete, fixing any corrupt files along the way, restart your system. Then, endeavour to admission the restricted files.

Yous Can Admission Any Files!

Now you accept seen the fixes, you lot can access any file on your calculator. The "You demand permission to perform this activeness" fault message is a frustration.

Furthermore, almost of the fixes revolve around Administrator accounts. Such is the style that Windows works, an Ambassador business relationship is a golden key. If y'all don't have an Administrator business relationship, you should contact your arrangement admin for help---or at to the lowest degree, their countersign.

But what practice you do if you are an administrator and lose your Windows Administrator password? There are two fixes available that tin assistance y'all get back into your account.