How to fix the error You need permission to perform this action on Windows

Error "You need permission to perform this action" on   Windows computers is one of the errors adversely affecting the experience, hindering the work and entertainment needs of the user. The following article will guide you on a few ways to fix this error simply and quickly.

The cause of the error You need permission to perform this action :

1. Because User does not have permission to view or modify.
2. Because the actual item or file is locked by the system service.
3. Due to using 3rd party software.
4. Due to viruses and malware.

1. Change the folder's owner

Step 1 : Right-click on the inaccessible file> Select  Properties .

Step 2 : In the Security tab   and  Group and user names  > Select  Administrator  > Click on  Advanced .

Step 3 : Click  Change  in Owner section  .

Step 4 : In the window  Select user or group  > Click the  Advanced button .

Step 5 : Click  Find now  and choose which group of users will have full access to your computer. Once done, click  OK  to close this window.

Step 6 : In the Permissions tab  , click the Add button  .

Step 7 : Click  Select a principal .

Step 8 : Repeat  Steps 5 and 6  to select the user or group that you want to use.

Step 9 : In the Type window set to  Allow  and select the Full control option  . Then click  OK  to save the changes

After doing these steps, you will have full ownership over the selected file and you will be able to edit it without any restrictions.

2. Use Command Prompt to change ownership

Step 1 : Open an elevated Command Prompt by typing  CMD  in the search box and select  Run as Administrator .

Step 2 : Enter the command " takeown / f / r / dy " and press  Enter . Here you delete the  path_to_the_folder  and proceed to enter the path to the directory you want to select. This way you will be given ownership of the folder or file you have selected.

Step 3 : Next, enter the command "  / grant administrators: F / T " and press  Enter  to run it.

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You will be given full control over the directory to the Administrators group after the command is executed. If you want to grant that complete control to any other user or group of users, simply enter the name of that user or group.

3. Boot into Safe Mode

Step 1 : Type  msconfig  in the Search box on the Taskbar to open  System Configuration .

Step 2 : In the Boot tab> Check the Safe boot box   and choose one of the four available options:

1. Minimal
2. Alternate Shell
3. Active Directory Repair
4. Network

Then click  OK  to finish.

Step 3 : After restarting your computer or  laptop  , you can troubleshoot hardware, software and operating system problems . in Safe Mode.

4. Change security rights without changing ownership

Step 1 : Right-click on the inaccessible file> Select  Properties .

Step 2 : Click the Security  tab  and then click  Edit .

Step 3 : Click the  Add button .

Step 4 : In the  Enter the object name to select field  enter your user account name and click on  Check Names .

Step 5:  Click  Find Now  > Select the desired group or user from the search results field and click  OK  to save the changes.

Step 6 : Select the desired account under  Group or user names . Now in the Permissions section at the bottom, select the  Full control option  in the Allow column. Click  Apply  and then  OK  to save the changes.

5. Run the SFC scan command

Step 1 : Open an elevated Command Prompt by typing  CMD  in the search box and select  Run as Administrator .

Step 2 : Enter the command " sfc / scannow "> Press  Enter  to run the command.

When the scan is complete, SFC will try to fix any identified problems automatically.

This article has provided you with more information and a way to fix the error `` You need permission to perform this action '' in Windows simply and quickly. I wish you all success!

Isabella Humphrey

Update 04 February 2021