Earlier today, when trying to run an executable on a Windows 2003 server, where my account is part of the Administrators group, I received the error “Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item.”
Weird. Checked the file permissions, file ownership and for some reason this issue seemed vaguely familiar.
Turns out that in order to execute the file you have to do the following:
- Open Internet Explorer
- Click on Tools
- Click on Internet Options
- Select Internet and click Custom Level
- In the Miscellaneous section, set the ‘Launching applications and unsafe files’ to Prompt (recommended) as shown in the screen shot below:

Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item.
Posting it here in an attempt to save an hour of my time or yours in the future.
had this problem… your solution fixed it.
searched high and low for fixes for this, and you solved it in 20 seconds. brilliant.
Set it to that – same message – any other ideas ? Using firefox but it doesn’t work with many websites I need to access for work. Thanks
What version of IE are you using? Also, what version of Windows are you using?
I have the exact same problem but i cannot access anything on the whole C drive which is basicaly everything on the computer. Please i need help. It only started hapening when i downloaded avg.
Have you considered removing AVG?
Ok. Tanks.
Thanks very much for the solution.
How is it possible, that the internet options have influence on the NTFS rights?
Regards,
Peter
Thanks Leo!
Just ran a regular update on my Server2003, installing IE8, and it changed my Internet security settings on its own.
I had spent some time setting those just the way I wanted them.
You’d expect at least a notification screen, if not a choice…
Have the same problem ..running XP SP3 but been able to do some temp fixes. Booted in safe mode..went to the security properties on the C:\ allow child folder to inherit properties. Start up normal..allows executables to be opened once then happens again..confused…Anyone get a fix for this???
Oh, Great! This problem have been bothering me for a long time. Thanks!
if you have zonealarm turn it off to see if that helps,did for me,then turn it back on.
Thanks a mill your solution worked.
Hello all: I have the same problem but!
not in website on Game when i try to click on Start game the computer give a same error like u guyz talking about so please i need help send me in my emil [email protected]
brilliant!!! thx
Thanks, would have taken me ages to have worked this out if I hadn’t read your post!
Thanks. Took me a while to find this, but your solution fixed it quickly. It now occurs to me I changed the Internet settings when adjusting Outlook.
Its working now. Thanks
You rock…not sure why this changed or what happened, but this fixed the problem that we were having on a WINDOWS 2003 Server SP2, and a new update.exe file. Thanks a million!
Hey I have basically the same problem. It gives me that error message if I try to get on ANYTHING. The only way to get to EI is for me to go to the start menu and search for it. Even parts of my control panel are giving me that error message. Any suggestions?
thank you so much,guy
Waouh!!! Great works very well.
Thanks
Well done mate! It worked!
Cheers,
Jenish
Ox
Spot on… Thank u so much.
thnxs for the help my problem is solved
the launching application should be prompt?
Must agree with others here, beautiful solution. Thank you.
u r a genious. Best resolution.
Thanks a bunch. I hate stuff like this 😉
THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS! I’ve had this error for days and thought I had a virus. Anyway you need different instructions for windows XP:
Internet options –> security –> custom level –> miscellaneous –> Launching applications and unsafe files (prompt)
Thanks! Just what I was looking for!
Do you any conclusion for Windows7?
O.o
Turns out I was installing AVG 2011 onto a server. Downloaded from a workstation and copied to the server. Had to right click on file, then properties and click ‘Unblock’. It is a defense mechanism of the Windows Server OS. AVG tech talked me through it.
Try and change the file name to less than 8 characters. It worked for me!
thanks. I was getting this problem since yesterday and within seconds of reading your article it got resolved.
Tried that and did not work. Cant access any of my files
I have windows 7 and internet explore 8, it was set to the default to your recommended settings.
One of my software was working yesterday, but today it keep gives me this message ” you do not have permission to access …”
Please help !!!
thanks
Jun
I have this problem, i download crack and open it then open the programme i cracked and this msg appear and i work as u told ,but still no better, please help me…help nas..
Wow it worked great and it did resolved the issue however i did Uninstall the anti virus as well
Thanks, it did resolve the issue.
i m using win xp every item i open like D:, .exe
the message shows windows cannot access the specified device,path,or file. you don’t have appropriate pemissions to access this item
Please help im about to loose it
Thanks for the fix! I can now stop banging my head against the wall.
what about all programs cannot open it?
most people has turn off antivirus first..
but in my case, i cannot open the antivirus..
all my programs it can`t be open.. T_T
plz help me..
I had a similar issue on my Windows 7 and found the problem was due to a permissions issue with C:\Windows\Registration folder. You may go through the detailed instructions to repair it on the following forum:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/5218-63-cant-explorer
thanks a lotttt.
Two years later you are still helping people–thanks!
I can find nothing called in my list what u told but the others in the pic are present. Im using windows xp sp3Launching applications and unsaafe files. Kindly help
Hey grate dude i really appreciate your quick solution Thanks Thanks Thanks a lot…….
help full. thanks for the share..
Me has salvado la vida!!! muchas gracias!!
thanks!!! 🙂
THX i need that… Kiitos!!!
I found I started getting this problem after updating from IE7 to IE8.. Had no idea what the hell was going on turned to google tried a few things then tried this. I also just reset IE8 back to default settings which changed me from high to med high
Thanks a bunch
Unninstall your AVG
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