0x80070005Windows Operating System

How to Fix 0x80070005 (Windows Operating System)

Quick Answer

Error 0x80070005, 'Access is denied,' indicates that the operating system or an application lacks the necessary permissions to access a file, folder, or registry key. The fastest fix often involves running the program as an administrator or adjusting folder permissions.

What Causes This Error

Insufficient user permissions for a file, folder, or registry key.
Corrupted system files or registry entries.
Interference from third-party antivirus software.
Incorrect security descriptors on system objects.
Windows Update issues due to permission problems.
Malware or virus infection.

Step-by-Step Fixes

1Run Application as Administrator

Locate the executable file or shortcut for the application causing the error.
Right-click on the executable file or shortcut.
Select 'Run as administrator' from the context menu.
If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click 'Yes' to allow the application to run with elevated privileges.

2Adjust Folder or File Permissions to Resolve 0x80070005

Right-click on the folder or file that is generating the 'Access is denied' error.
Select 'Properties' from the context menu.
Navigate to the 'Security' tab and click 'Edit'.
Select your user account or the 'Users' group, then ensure 'Full control' is checked under 'Allow'. If not, check it and click 'Apply'.
Click 'OK' to close the permissions window and then 'OK' again to close the properties window. Attempt the operation again.

3Perform a Full System Scan for Malware

Open Windows Security by searching for 'Windows Security' in the Start menu.
Select 'Virus & threat protection'.
Click on 'Scan options'.
Choose 'Full scan' and then click 'Scan now'.
Allow the scan to complete and follow any instructions to remove detected threats. Restart your computer after the scan.

4Disable Antivirus Software Temporarily

Locate your antivirus software icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of the screen).
Right-click the icon and look for an option like 'Disable', 'Turn off', or 'Pause protection'.
Select the option to temporarily disable protection for a short period (e.g., 10 minutes or until next reboot).
Attempt the operation that caused the 0x80070005 error. If it succeeds, re-enable your antivirus software immediately.

Advanced Fixes

Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

Open Command Prompt as an administrator: Search for 'cmd' in the Start menu, right-click 'Command Prompt', and select 'Run as administrator'.
In the Command Prompt window, type 'sfc /scannow' and press Enter. Allow the scan to complete, which may take some time.
After the SFC scan finishes, type 'DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth' and press Enter. This command uses Windows Update to provide files required to fix corruptions.
Wait for the DISM process to complete. Once both scans are finished, restart your computer and check if the error persists.

Take Ownership of the Object

Right-click the problematic file or folder and select 'Properties'.
Go to the 'Security' tab and click 'Advanced'.
Next to 'Owner:', click 'Change'.
In the 'Enter the object name to select' field, type your username or 'Administrators' and click 'Check Names', then 'OK'.
Check the box 'Replace owner on subcontainers and objects' (if applicable) and click 'Apply', then 'OK'. You may need to grant yourself 'Full control' permissions afterward as described in 'Adjust Folder or File Permissions'.

Reset Windows Update Components

Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Type the following commands, pressing Enter after each one: 'net stop wuauserv', 'net stop cryptSvc', 'net stop bits', 'net stop msiserver'.
Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders by typing: 'ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old' and 'ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old'. Press Enter after each.
Restart the stopped services by typing: 'net start wuauserv', 'net start cryptSvc', 'net start bits', 'net start msiserver'. Press Enter after each.
Restart your computer and attempt the Windows Update or operation that previously failed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does error 0x80070005 'Access is denied' mean?

Error 0x80070005 indicates that the operating system or a specific program does not have the necessary permissions to access a file, folder, or registry key that it is trying to use. This prevents the operation from completing successfully.

Can malware cause 0x80070005?

Yes, malware can modify system permissions, corrupt files, or interfere with legitimate processes, leading to 'Access is denied' errors. Performing a full system scan with reputable antivirus software is a recommended troubleshooting step.

Is it safe to run programs as administrator?

Running programs as an administrator grants them elevated privileges, allowing them to make system-level changes. While it can resolve permission issues, it should be done cautiously and only for trusted applications, as it can potentially expose your system to risks if the application is malicious or buggy.

How do I know which file or folder is causing the 0x80070005 error?

The error message itself sometimes specifies the path to the problematic file or folder. If not, monitoring tools like Process Monitor from Sysinternals can help identify which resource is being denied access when the error occurs.