How to Fix Error 0x80070005 Access Is Denied in Windows 11 and 10

Quick Answer

To fix error 0x80070005 Access Is Denied in Windows 11 or Windows 10, first run the affected app, installer, command, or update tool as administrator. If the error continues, repair file permissions, take ownership of the affected folder, temporarily check security restrictions, and reset the Windows component involved, such as Windows Update or Microsoft Store.

1. Right-click the app or installer and choose Run as administrator.
2. Check the folder permissions for the file or directory that triggers the error.
3. Take ownership of the affected folder if your account cannot modify it.
4. Disable restrictive security features temporarily, especially Controlled folder access, then test again.
5. Reset Windows Update or Microsoft Store if the error appears during updates or app installation.

In many cases, error 0x80070005 is not a broken Windows installation. It usually means Windows blocked the action because your account, service, app, or update process does not have the required permission.

Problem

Error 0x80070005 Access Is Denied appears when Windows refuses access to a file, folder, registry key, update component, service, or protected location. You may see it while installing software, updating Windows, opening a file, activating Windows, installing Microsoft Store apps, or running a command.

The message may appear as:

Error 0x80070005: Access is denied

Something went wrong. Error code: 0x80070005

Windows Update failed to install. 0x80070005

Cause

The most common cause is a permission mismatch. Windows expects the current user, installer, service, or update process to have access, but the file system, registry, antivirus, or system policy blocks it.

Prerequisites

• Use an administrator account where possible.
• Back up important files before changing permissions on personal folders.
• If this is a company-managed device, confirm whether policy restrictions are expected.
• Disconnect from VPN only if your organization allows it and the issue is update-related.

Step-by-step Solution

1. Run the affected program as administrator

If the error appears while installing software, editing a protected file, or running a repair tool, elevation may be enough.

1. Close the app or installer.
2. Right-click it.
3. Select Run as administrator.
4. Approve the UAC prompt.

If the command fails in Terminal, open an elevated terminal:

1. Right-click Start.
2. Select Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
3. Run the command again.

2. Unblock the downloaded file

Windows may block files downloaded from the internet, especially scripts, installers, and compressed archives.

1. Right-click the file and select Properties.
2. On the General tab, look for Unblock.
3. Check Unblock, then click Apply.
4. Run the file again as administrator.

3. Check file or folder permissions

If error 0x80070005 Access Is Denied happens when opening, copying, deleting, or saving a file, verify permissions.

1. Right-click the affected file or folder.
2. Open Properties.
3. Select the Security tab.
4. Choose your user account.
5. Confirm that Read, Write, or Modify is allowed as needed.
6. Click Edit to change permissions if you have administrator access.

Avoid changing permissions on the entire Windows folder or system drive unless you are following a Microsoft-supported repair procedure.

4. Take ownership of the affected folder

If your account does not own the folder, use an elevated Terminal. Replace the sample path with the real folder path.

takeown /f "C:\Full\Path\To\Folder" /r /d y

icacls "C:\Full\Path\To\Folder" /grant %username%:F /t

After the commands finish, retry the failed action.

5. Check Controlled folder access

Windows Security can block apps from writing to protected folders such as Documents, Pictures, Desktop, or custom protected folders.

1. Open Windows Security.
2. Go to Virus & threat protection.
3. Select Ransomware protection.
4. Open Manage ransomware protection.
5. Temporarily turn off Controlled folder access, or choose Allow an app through Controlled folder access.
6. Test the app again.

If this fixes the issue, turn protection back on and allow only the trusted app.

6. Fix error 0x80070005 in Windows Update

If the error appears during Windows Update, reset the update cache and restart update services.

Open Terminal (Admin) and run:

net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
net stop cryptsvc
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start cryptsvc
net start bits
net start wuauserv

Restart the PC, then go to Settings > Windows Update and check for updates again.

7. Fix error 0x80070005 in Microsoft Store apps

If Microsoft Store shows 0x80070005 while installing or updating apps, reset the Store cache.

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type wsreset.exe.
3. Press Enter.
4. Wait for Microsoft Store to reopen.

If the issue continues, repair the Microsoft Store app:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.
3. Find Microsoft Store.
4. Open Advanced options.
5. Click Repair. If needed, click Reset.

8. Repair Windows system files

Corrupt system files can cause access or update operations to fail. Run these commands in Terminal (Admin):

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

sfc /scannow

Restart Windows after both commands complete.

Examples

Example 1: Installer fails with 0x80070005

Right-click the installer, select Run as administrator, unblock the file in Properties, then install from a local folder such as Downloads instead of a network drive.

Example 2: Folder says Access Is Denied

Check the Security tab, confirm your user account has Modify permission, then take ownership only of that specific folder if needed.

Example 3: Windows Update fails with 0x80070005

Run the update reset commands, restart the PC, then check for updates again from Settings.

Common Causes

• The app was not launched with administrator rights.
• Your user account does not own the target folder.
• Folder inheritance was disabled or permissions were removed.
• Windows Security blocked write access to a protected folder.
• Windows Update cache files are corrupted.
• Microsoft Store cache or app registration is damaged.
• Third-party antivirus or endpoint security blocked the operation.
• The device is managed by workplace policy.

Common Mistakes

• Changing permissions on C:\Windows unnecessarily: This can make Windows less secure or unstable.
• Disabling antivirus permanently: Test briefly, then re-enable protection.
• Taking ownership of the whole drive: Fix only the affected file or folder.
• Ignoring work device policies: Managed PCs may intentionally block installs or updates.
• Skipping a restart: Update and permission changes often require a reboot.

Best Practices

• Install apps from trusted sources only.
• Keep personal files in user folders, not protected system directories.
• Create a restore point before major permission repairs.
• Use administrator elevation only when required.
• Document permission changes on shared or work machines.
• Keep Windows updated after fixing the error.

Verification

After applying the fix, verify that the problem is resolved:

1. Restart the computer.
2. Repeat the action that triggered error 0x80070005 Access Is Denied.
3. If it was a Windows Update issue, open Settings > Windows Update > Update history.
4. If it was a Microsoft Store issue, install or update the same app again.
5. If it was a folder issue, create, rename, or save a test file in the affected folder.

If the same error returns immediately after a permission repair, check whether antivirus, Controlled folder access, Group Policy, or device management is restoring the restriction.