Tuesday, April 23, 2013

"Access is Denied" when attempting to install drivers on Windows 7

This is just a quick post to share a problem I had while trying to update the firmware on an MK808B recently, and the solution I came up with.  The problem was trivial, but none of the suggested solutions that I found online were appropriate, so I am sharing what happened here to save other people the same issue.

I downloaded the USB drivers for a device, connected the device, and waited for Windows to ask about drivers for it. I had the drivers downloaded and extracted ready for installation.

When I selected the folder with the drivers, Windows proceeded to try to install the drivers, but then very quickly reported "Access is denied".

The same happened if I tried to update driver from in Device Manager.

The problem was caused by the folder containing the drivers being read-only, and I think, encrypted (but I am a bit fuzzy on what the Encrypted attribute really does on Windows 7).

I solved the problem by right-clicking on the folder, and unticking "read-only" and "encrypted" and applying that to the entire folder and its contents.  This took a few seconds for Windows to fix the attributes on all the files.

After that I was able to install the driver without incident.

Hopefully this helps save someone else some hassle.

[Update: If you are running Windows 8.1 there is a related problem where you basically can't use unsigned drivers anymore.  That's a separate issue.]

13 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. The folder is the one containing the drivers you are attempting to install. Most likely this will be the folder that opens when you unzip the drivers. Hope that helps.

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  2. Hello,
    Are you using Windows 7 or Windows 8? This hint won't help on Windows 8.
    Paul.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for this! This solved my issue with my Nexus 4 driver not installing properly for USB Debugging mode. My folder was both write-protected and encrypted. Once lifted it just worked.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I had same problem, I can't reinstall windows 7 at any cost, I updated my windows 7 version to windows 7 service pack 1 but it didn't change anything. Whenever I connect a device with USB even auto drivers device like Pen drive etc. it won't install its drivers. I can't find any solution kindly tell me how can I solve it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have the same problem. But when I am trying to uncheck the check box for read only, my changes are getting reverted once I am clicking Apply

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello,

      Try copying the files to another folder, and then changing the permissions there.

      Delete
  6. i am using windows 7 in my pc.when i using memory card reader it s not detected but pen drive s detected .ihave updated driver also but displays access is denied .plz help me to solve this issue!!

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  7. Hi Paul, Could you please provide me steps to resolve same issue in Windows 8 workstation.
    Thank in advance,
    Regards,
    Mohammed Ashfaq

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't have Windows 8 here to test, but if the problem is permissions on the files, then some variation on the instructions here may help. There is an extra problem on Windows 8 in that all drivers must be signed by Microsoft to be allowed to be installed. This may or may not be an issue in your situation.

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  8. My drivers are placed in c:\Windows\System32\drivers\
    I am an administrator, but I don't have write/modify privileges for that directory.
    Avi

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  9. I'm sorry, which folder is this? As in, where or how do you find this folder to unchecked it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello,
      It will be whichever folder you are asking Windows to install the drivers from. If they are drivers you have downloaded, then it will be the folder you extracted the drivers into. Hope that helps.
      Paul.

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