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How to Fix the Windows Access Denied Error 0x80070005 - MakeUseOf

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Has the Windows 0x80070005 error stopped your work on its track? Do not worry.

The 0x80070005 error relates to access permissions in Windows, sometimes encountered by users when they are trying to update their Windows or installing a new program, and they don't possess full access permission for certain files.

So, here's how you fix the 0x80070005 error code in Windows 10.

1. Give Yourself Full Permissions

As mentioned above, since the error code 0x80070005 is an inability to access Windows programs, the first method to solve it is to give yourself full administrative permissions from the Settings.

  1. Launch the Windows Run by hitting the Windows key + R and type C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData in it and click OK. Enter the drive where your Windows is installed in place of C: and username in place of USERNAME.
  2. Now, right-click on App Data and open the Properties.
  3. In the next window, go to the security tab and click on Edit.
  4. Click on Add.
  5. Now, type Everyone, click on Check Names, and finally, hit OK.
  6. Click on Everyone and allow Full control under Permissions for everyone. Click on OK.

Now, reboot your system for the changes to take effect. You will not see the windows update error 0x80070005 again.

2. Scan for Malware and Viruses

This problem has also been reported to have been caused by malware or a virus that can delete or alter your important system files, such as the Windows Registry.

To be sure that your PC is not affected by malware, run the Microsoft Defender app, the free antivirus tool created by Windows to fight malware and virus.

After the scan, restart your PC and try to install the Windows updates. If you still encounter the same error code 0x80070005, then you don't lose heart. Simply jump to the next method.

Related: Complete Malware Removal Guide[1]

3. Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot is a way to identify applications that are causing problems in your Windows. It works by allowing your PC to start up with minimal programs and drivers and helps you figure which programs—if any—are causing a problem.

It differs from Windows safe mode in that it provides you a greater degree of control in choosing which programs to shut off.

  1. To get started, go to the Start menu search bar, type msconfig, and click on the System Configuration app.
  2. In the next dialogue box, go to the Services tab, and check the Hide all Microsoft Services radio box and click on Disable All. After that, navigate to the Start-up tab, and click on Open Task Manager.
  3. From there, select any program that you believe is giving you trouble and click on Disable.
  4. Click on OK and close the dialogue box. Next, restart your PC to begin the clean boot.

When the PC restarts next time, run the application you were having trouble with. If the problem persists, you now know that it's not due to the programs that you disabled.

Related: How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 10[2]

4. Run the Windows Troubleshooter

Windows troubleshooters are a series of integrated tools provided by Microsoft to solve small Windows problems, such as an update error, Bluetooth or audio issues, and so on.

It may be possible that a glitch in the Windows Update has led you to the Windows error code 0x80070005.

Follow the steps below and fix the Windows error code.

  1. Press Window Key + X and click on Settings.
  2. Move to the Update & Security section and click on Troubleshoot.
  3. Now, click on Additional troubleshooters, and then, click on Windows Updates.
  4. Grant the required permissions and use the tool to fix this error.
click on additional troubleshooter

If the tool couldn't fix the 'Access is Denied' error, then jump to the next method.

5: Run SFC (System File Checker)

The Windows System File Checker (SFC) is an application that helps users scan and fix their corrupt files, stopping the Windows update installation. Follow the mentioned commands to operate this utility tool.

  1. Type command prompt in Start menu search bar, then select Run as administrator.
  2. Type SFC /scannow in the command prompt and hit Enter.
run sfc command to remove error 0x80070005

If the process is executed successfully, you should not see the Windows Access Denied error code message again.

6. Reset Permissions with SubInACL

SubInACL is a free command-line application that can help you change permissions for files, folders, registries, and other objects.

Follow the steps listed below to get rid of the error code 0x80070005 for good.

Download and install the SubInACL[3]. Then, open a new Notepad file and type the following text in it:

Set OSBIT=32
IF exist "%ProgramFiles(x86)%" set OSBIT=64
set RUNNINGDIR=%ProgramFiles%
IF %OSBIT% == 64 set RUNNINGDIR=%ProgramFiles(x86)%
subinacl /subkeyreg "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing" /grant="nt service\trustedinstaller"=f

Save the files in All Files as reset.cmd. After that, run the file as an administrator by right-clicking and selecting Run as Administrator. Then update the program, and delete the .cmd file.

7. Update Windows 10 Manually

If you encountered the error code 0x80070005 during a Windows update, then a manual update just might be the solution for you. To update your Windows manually, you'll be using the Windows Update Catalog.

Although Windows updates are downloaded and installed automatically, sometimes glitches arise. And this where the Windows Update Catalog comes in. It is a free website by Microsoft that offers updates for all Windows Operating Systems.

You can download cumulative updates manually from there even if your Windows's auto-updates are not working, just as with the error code 0x80070005.

Follow the steps below to get started:

  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
  2. Select View Update History and note down or copy the Windows update version code. It will look like KB1234567.

Then, visit the Windows Updates Catalogue[4] and paste the Windows update version code in the search bar.  Then, click on the Download button, which will prompt a popup on your screen.

From the pop-up, click on the .msu file link to download it. After the download is complete, click on the .msu file to install the Windows update manually.

Afterward, restart your system. Your Windows will work fine now. In this way, you can override the 0x80070005 error code by performing a manual update.

No More Windows Error Code 0x80070005

If, however, none of the above methods have worked so far, you can use the pulverizer of all major Windows problems: the Windows Reset[5].

If you've walked through the all above methods, we believe you would've surely gotten the solution to your Windows 0x80070005 access is denied error code.

 

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[6] About The Author
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Shaant Minhas (75 Articles Published)

Shaant is a Staff Writer at MUO. A graduate in Computer Applications, he uses his passion for writing to explain complex stuff in plain English. When not researching or writing, he can be found enjoying a good book, running, or hanging out with friends.

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