Windows 10: External Hard Drive Access Denied

I am not able to access my external HDD at all. It's a seagate 2TB 9SF2A8-500, if that helps?

I keep getting this message saying "Location is not available" "F:\ is not accessible. Access Denied". I feel like I've tried everything!


This started happening with the absolute worst timing, as I recently did a full reboot of my PC with Windows 10 and backed up all my files on there. It was working for a couple of weeks. The drive shows up in the side menu on windows explorer and appears in Disk Management, also.



Does anyone know any methods to fixing this. I'm really hoping to avoid re-formatting the drive, if at all possible.

During typing this I tried opening autoplay and clicking "Configure storage settings", and it comes up with another error message "F:\ The directory name is invalid.".


Here I've copy-pasted some methods I've already tried, but none have worked for me. I've also tried file recovery programs, and they will find the files, but won't recover them without a subscription/payment of some sort usually quite expensive for a one-time use.

Method 1: Run the hardware troubleshooter and check if it helps.

1. 
   Press Windows and X key together and select Control Panel.
   

Click on Troubleshooting.

1. 
   Click on View all option on the left side of the Windows.
   
   
2. 
   Click on Hardware and Devices option.
   
   
3. 
   Click on Next and follow the onscreen instructions to troubleshoot the issue.
   

Method 2: Try connecting the external hard drive to a different USB port and check.


Method 3: Let’s check the disk management and see if the hard drive is detected. If it is detected, change the drive letter and go back to the Windows Explorer and check if you can open it.

1. 
   Open Disk Manager by pressing Windows key + R, in the run prompt type diskmgmt.msc, hit Enter key, it will open the disk management that will list all the disks that are connected to the computer.
   
   
2. 
   Check if you can see the USB drive. If it is listed.
   
   
3. 
   Right-click the drive, and then click Change, click Assign the following drive letter, click the letter that you want to use, and then click OK.
   

I'm really trying my best here, but I'm absolutely stumped. Please help me if you can.

:)

 

Access denied in external hard drive

Access denied in external hard drive in windows 10

 

Location is not available F:/ is not accessible. Access is denied. External hard drive

Hi,

Most of the time, when your external hard drive shows that error message, it suggests that you don’t have the privilege of accessing to the disk partition. We need to get a permit to take ownership of the drive. Follow the steps below:

• Open File Explorer.
  
• Right-click your hard drive, then select Properties.
  
• Go to Security tab.
  
• Click Advanced, then select Edit.
  
• On the Owner tab, modify the ownership of the specified account.
  
• Click Apply, then OK.
  

Update us with the outcome so we can provide further assistance.

 

External Hard Drive Acess Denied on Windows 10

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft community.

We understand your situation, we will assist you.

Method 1:
Check whether the external hard disk is detected in Device Manager, right click on it and click on
Uninstall the drivers. Plug in the external hard drive again so that Windows automatically installs the drivers. Check if the issue persists.
If the issue persists, go to the External hard drive in Windows Explorer, right click on it and select
Properties. Click on the Security tab and then click on
Edit and click on Add and type Everyone
and press enter. Select Everyone from the list and place a check mark in Full control. Press
apply and ok and check if you are able to access the External hard drive.
Method 2:
If you are still unable to access your hard drive, I suggest you to refer to the steps mentioned in the following link and try to take the ownership and check:
"Access Denied" or other errors when accessing or working with files and folders in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2623670/en-us

Hope this helps, kindly get back to us for further assistance.