Fix Require Permission from Administrator to Change Folder

Requiring permission from the administrator to make changes to any folder is a common problem if you are a windows user. If you are facing this issue in terms of moving or deleting a folder, you have landed on the right page.

I have been using Windows OS for a long time and encountered the administrator permission needed issue several times. For that, I know how to solve the problem with simple yet workable methods and I am going to share the methods with you.

To learn the techniques you have to read this article till the end. But, at first, I want you to know why this problem occurs.

So, Why do you need permission from the administrator to make changes to any folder?

The main reason behind you cannot access the file is restricted access for the file limited by the owner. Other than that, User account control (UAC) can limit your access to the folder, several users using the same computer can also create the issue.

You don’t want any of these preventing you from accessing the folder, right? Continue reading to get rid of the problem.

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Why Do I Need Permission From Administrators to Change Files?

As I said earlier, this is a common problem for windows users. Well, you can’t define it as a problem. This type of denied permission is needed to keep your computer safe.

But, if you face this error message on a regular basis performing your daily task then you can call it a problem. If that’s happening to you, there are various reasons behind the issue. In this part, I will be explaining them.

Here are the reasons behind access permission from administrators:

When you are not the only admin of a system, and there are possible other admins who created the file, in that case, you’ll require permission to move/delete the folder.
If a trusted installer owns the folder then you cannot make a change to that folder.
If there is any UAC ( User account control) related issue, then you might get a denial from accessing the file.
When the default owner of the file restricts the accessibility to the limited user, you might get denied to use that file.
If the system file is corrupted or crashed, you might get this kind of error message.

These are the most probable reasons behind the error message you are getting. Read through the next part to get rid of the problem.

How to Fix Require Permission from Administrator?

Now you know what is making the trouble to the files and folders. It is time to fix the issue. Here, I have enlisted the best solutions available. Read the methods carefully and work on the methods sequentially.

Before commencing any further, I would like to share a quick fix that you can try. But, remember, this method won’t solve the matter permanently.

Turn on your computer in safe mode. To do that, restart your device, and while turning on continuously press the F8 button from the keyboard. Once you are in the safe mode, locate the folder that is giving you a headache and move/delete the folder. This is only a temporary solution. If you want to solve it perpetually, read the following methods.

Here are the methods you can use to solve required permission to make a change:

Method 1. Change Ownership of the Files

If you change the owner of the file which you are not, windows won’t require permission after that. Log in with your administrator account and follow the instructions.

Here’s how you can change the ownership of the files:

Go to your File Manager and select the file/folder.
Right-click on the file/folder and click on Properties.
Jump to the Security tab and click on Advanced in that tab.
Move to the Effective Access tab in the new window.
Click on Select a user-written in blue color.
Select Advanced > Find Now.
Click on the admin with full file permission and press Ok.
Go to the Security tab and click on advanced like before.
Select Add and tick on the boxes you see.
Go to the Advanced option and click on Find Now.
Click on Allow and then Ok.

This process sounds complicated but, you will face no issue applying it once you understand the method.

Method 2. Modify Permissions

Modifying permissions allow you to use the folder just as you want. It means you don’t have the permission to access into the file, but you can fabricate the permission.

Here’s how you can modify permissions:

Right-click on the problematic folder and select properties.
Move to the Security tab and click on Advanced.
Select a user account in the permission tab.
Check off the box Replace all child object permission entries from this object.
Select ok to finish the process.

Before clicking on ok, make sure you are acknowledged of every other option. A simple tick on the wrong box can cost you.

You can also modify permission using cmd if you are not comfortable with the explained method.

Here’s how you can use command prompt to modify permissions:

Type in cmd in the windows search box.
Right-click on the result and select run as administrator.
Copy this command takedown/f <path_to_the_folder> /R /D Y and hit Enter.
Type in icacls <path_to_the_folder> /grant administrators:F/T and hit the Enter button.

Now you are all set. Restart your computer and check if that resolves your issue. If not, try following the next methods.

Method 3. Try System File Checker

If the folder that you having a problem with is corrupted, it can also show you the access denied error. You must check the integrity of the file if modifying permission does not work.

Here’s how you can check the file:

Type cmd in the windows search box.
Right-click on the command prompt and select run as admin.
Select yes on the UAC( user account control) prompt.
Type in SFC/scannow and press Enter.

Your computer will scan the Windows system files and repair them if necessary. This may take a few minutes. Be patient if it requires more time.

Also, check our exclusive tutorial on how many Microsoft points do I have.

Method 4. Disable User Account Control

If you are not the only user of the file, disabling the UAC will help you to get rid of other users. The UAC is turned on by default. But with a few steps, you can turn it off and deny other admin’s access.

Here’s how you can disable user account control:

Start your computer and go to the windows search box.
Type in UAC in the box.
Click on change user account settings.
Move the slider down to never notify in the next window.
Click on ok to complete the process.

This will do the work. If you want to activate the UAC settings, just move the slider upwards to Always notify.

Note: Make sure you have tried the other three methods. Only then should you mess with the UAC settings. Keeping these settings disabled for a long time will allow viruses to take control over your files.

Method 5. Try Third-party Applications

There are several third-party unlocker applications that help you to figure out why your access is denied when you are the admin. Download the free unlockers like iObit, MoveOnBoot, and install them on your computer.

Here’s how to use third-party applications to unlock the folder:

Select the problematic file and right-click on it.
Select the unlocker from the list.
Choose from the options from kill process, unlock all, etc.

Selecting the file with unlocker applications shows you the reason behind the problem. If the folder is necessary, unlock it; otherwise, deleting it will be a better option.

These are the tricks and techniques I had used when I faced the denied access issue. Implementing these methods will help you solve the problem.