Windows 10: how to fix error "the item referred to by this shortcut cannot be accessed you may not have...

how to fix error "the item referred to by this shortcut cannot be accessed you may not have appropriate permissions" ?

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

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



I understand that you receive an error, ‘'Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item’ when trying to access one particular file. I’ll certainly assist you with the issue.



However, please let us know:

• Are you trying to access the shortcut of the file?
  
• Which anti-virus are you using on the computer?
  

I would suggest you try running the application as an administrator and see if that helps. To do this, right click on the file and select
Run as administrator.



You may also want to refer the troubleshooting steps mentioned in the article
"Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or
file" error when you try to install, update or start a program or file



Note: The above mentioned article is for Windows 7, however, holds good for Windows 10.




Alternatively, you can also try enabling hidden admin account and check if you are able to access the file in hidden admin account.



Refer the steps mentioned below:

1. Type command prompt in the search bar on the
   Taskbar.
   
2. Right click on the command prompt icon and select
   Run as administrator.
   
3. Type in the following commands one by one and hit
   Enter:
   
   net user administrator /active:yes
   
4. After enabling the hidden admin, try accessing the file.
   

Note: Make sure to disable hidden admin by using the command
net user administrator /active:no after performing the troubleshooting steps.



Let us know how it goes.



Regards,

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

How to pin app shortcut to desk top?

Hi,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community.

I suggest you to follow below steps to change pin the apps on the desktop screen and check if it helps.

Step 1: I suggest you to perform the below steps to add the apps on desktop.

• Click on the “Start button” and locate the App that you want to pin to Desktop.
• Right click on the “App” and click on “More options”.
• Then click on “Open File location” and right click on the app, click on “Send to” option.
• Then select “Desktop (Create shortcut)”.
• Go to “Desktop” and check whether the app is located or not.

Or Step 2: To add shortcuts to the desktop

• Press and hold or right-click the desktop, tap or click New, and then tap or click Shortcut.
• Enter the location of the item or tap or click Browse to find the item in File Explorer.

Hope this information is helpful and do let us know if you need further assistance. We will be glad to assist.

 

disappearing shortcuts in This PC\quick access

Hi,

I will certainly help you with the issue you are experiencing in accessing the shortcuts on your computer.

This issue might occur, if the system files are corrupted or conflict between the third party software’s.

Please follow below mentioned steps to fix the issue:

Step 1: Run System File Checker.

System File Checker is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files, follow below mentioned steps to run system file checker.

• Press Windows key + X from you keyboard.
• Select command prompt (Run as administrator) and type
  sfc /scannow and press Enter.

Please refer below Microsoft article to run system file checker.

Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files - Microsoft Support

This will attempt to fix any corruption from the resident component store.

(Note: internet access is not required)

If the above is unsuccessful,

Step 2: Rum DISM.

• Press Windows key + X from you keyboard.
• Select command prompt (Run as administrator) and type
  Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press
  Enter.

Please refer below Microsoft article to run DISM.

Fix Windows Update errors via DISM or System Update Readiness tool - Windows Server | Microsoft Learn

This will attempt to fix any corruption from an online Windows Update source.

(Note: internet access is required and may take a considerable amount of time on slow connections)

Hopefully, if OK,

Run sfc /scannow (again)

This will verify that DISM was successful in repairing the errors.

Please get back to us, if you still facing issue in accessing the shortcuts on your computer.

Thank you.