The “Destination Folder Access Denied. Need Permissions to Perform this Action” error typically happens while trying to copy or move any folder or file to another location. It mainly occurs when multiple users are configured on one system or modifying an existing file or folder on the old OS with the newly installed OS. Although the reason can be different, it occurs due to the unavailability of the “Ownership.” The ownership of the file or folder that is being accessed is associated with some other user's account. We have researched the destination folder access denied issue and found some exciting and time-saving solutions that you can try. So, let's get started.
Steps to Fix Destination Folder Access Denied
If you see access is denied error messages on Windows 10 when trying to access a file or folder, you can walk through the below steps to resolve this.
- Check Administrator Rights
In most cases, you'll need to be an administrator on your PC to make changes to file/folder ownership. You may jerk the permissions in directories that belong to you but won't have much control elsewhere. This is to keep everyone's files private on a computer. Only administrators can gain access to files that belong to another user. Additionally, you'll need to provide admin permissions to make modifications to system files, such as those in the program files and Windows folders.
- Fix Access Denied Errors by Taking Ownership
The most basic resolution to try when you see “folder access denied” is to take ownership of the folder by the File Explorer. Avoid taking ownership of folders in system directories like Windows, Program Files, Program Data, or similar. Doing so will reduce the security of your system because normal accounts aren't meant to be the owners of these directories.
- Double-Check Your Antivirus Settings
Sometimes, your antivirus can get bossy and end up messing with your ability to access files. You might consider testing this next if you've confirmed that everything is correct with your file permissions above.
So, above are the ways to resolve folder and file “access denied” problems in Windows. Usually, the resolution of this issue comes down to a simple permission fix. Make sure you have administrator rights, and then you can try taking ownership and adjusting permissions as needed.
