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Got error while Open Specific file "Access denied"

MAB MAB 0 Reputation points
2025-12-05T09:49:04.91+00:00

Issue: Certain files in a specific folder on Windows Server 2012 show “Access Denied” when opened. Other files in the same folder open normally.

Troubleshooting Completed:

Verified NTFS permissions

Verified share permissions

Took ownership of files and folder

Reset permissions using icacls

Checked inheritance

Confirmed files are not encrypted (EFS)

Checked for file locks using Resource Monitor

Attempted renaming/copying (failed)

Ran chkdsk C: /f /r (scheduled for next reboot)

Issue persists for Administrator account

Folder is on a local disk

Current Status: Issue remains unresolved. Only specific files are inaccessible. Permissions appear correct. Possible causes include file system corruption, bad sectors, or damaged ACLs.

Assistance Requested:

Review CHKDSK results

Diagnose potential file or disk corruption

Help recover or repair affected files

  • Guidance if files are unrecoverableIssue: Certain files in a specific folder on Windows Server 2012 show “Access Denied” when opened. Other files in the same folder open normally. Troubleshooting Completed:
    • Verified NTFS permissions
    • Verified share permissions
    • Took ownership of files and folder
    • Reset permissions using icacls
    • Checked inheritance
    • Confirmed files are not encrypted (EFS)
    • Checked for file locks using Resource Monitor
    • Attempted renaming/copying (failed)
    • Ran chkdsk C: /f /r (scheduled for next reboot)
    • Issue persists for Administrator account
    • Folder is on a local disk
    Current Status: Issue remains unresolved. Only specific files are inaccessible. Permissions appear correct. Possible causes include file system corruption, bad sectors, or damaged ACLs. Assistance Requested:
    • Review CHKDSK results
    • Diagnose potential file or disk corruption
    • Help recover or repair affected files
    • Guidance if files are unrecoverable
Windows for business | Windows Server | Storage high availability | Other
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  1. Q&A Assist
    2025-12-05T09:49:19.3933333+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    The issue you're experiencing with specific files showing an "Access Denied" error, despite having verified permissions and ownership, may indeed be related to file system corruption or damaged ACLs. Since you've already performed several troubleshooting steps, here are some additional considerations:

    1. CHKDSK Results: After running chkdsk, review the results for any indications of file system corruption or bad sectors. If chkdsk reports that it found and fixed errors, this could resolve the access issues. If it finds bad sectors, it may indicate that the disk is failing.
    2. File System Corruption: If the files are still inaccessible after running chkdsk, you might want to consider using the SFC /scannow command to check for and repair corrupted system files that could be affecting file access.
    3. Data Recovery Tools: If the files are still not accessible, you may need to use third-party data recovery tools to attempt to recover the affected files. Tools like Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or Stellar Data Recovery can be helpful in such scenarios.
    4. Backup Restoration: If you have backups of the files, consider restoring them from a backup if recovery attempts fail.
    5. Contact Microsoft Support: If the issue persists and the files are critical, reaching out to Microsoft Product Support Services may provide additional assistance, especially if the files are unrecoverable and you need professional help.

    It's essential to ensure that you have backups of important data before performing extensive recovery operations to prevent further data loss.

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