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Error 0x80070005, also shown as E_ACCESSDENIED or “Access is denied”, means Windows or an app tried to read or change a file, folder, or registry key it does not have permission to use. It often appears during Windows Update, Microsoft Store downloads, System Restore, or software installs. Work through the fixes below in order and retry the failing action after each one.

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What causes error 0x80070005

  • Your account, or the process doing the work, lacks administrator rights.
  • Incorrect permissions on system folders such as C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution or C:\ProgramData.
  • Antivirus or security software blocking access to files.
  • Corrupted Windows Update components or system files.
  • Wrong system date and time, which can break secure connections to update servers.
Restart your PC before you start. A pending restart or a locked file is a common cause of this error.

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Fix 1: Run the action as administrator

Make sure you are signed in with an administrator account. For installers and tools, right-click the file and select Run as administrator. To check your account type, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info. It should say Administrator under your name.

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Fix 2: Check the date, time, and time zone

1

Open time settings

Go to Settings > Time & language > Date & time.
2

Turn on automatic time

Turn on Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically.
3

Sync now

Click Sync now, then retry the update or install.

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Fix 3: Temporarily disable third-party antivirus

Some antivirus products block Windows Update or installers from writing to protected folders. Turn off real-time protection in your antivirus, retry the action, then turn protection back on.
Always re-enable your antivirus after testing. Do not browse the web or open unknown files while it is off.

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Fix 4: Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

  • Windows 11: Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then click Run next to Windows Update.
  • Windows 10: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters, select Windows Update, and click Run the troubleshooter.

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Fix 5: Reset Windows Update components

If the error appears during Windows Update, clear the update cache. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
Command Prompt
Restart your PC and check for updates again.

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Fix 6: Take ownership and reset folder permissions

If the error names a specific folder, or happens when you open or change files, reset that folder’s permissions.
1

Open folder properties

Right-click the folder, select Properties, and open the Security tab.
2

Change the owner

Click Advanced, then Change next to Owner. Enter your user name, click Check Names, and click OK. Select Replace owner on subcontainers and objects.
3

Grant full control

Back on the Security tab, click Edit, select your account, and check Full control. Click Apply.
To reset permissions on a folder to their defaults from an elevated Command Prompt, run:
Command Prompt
Do not take ownership of the entire C:\Windows folder. Changing permissions on core system folders can break Windows. Only change the specific folder named in the error.

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Fix 7: Repair system files with SFC and DISM

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run these commands one at a time:
Command Prompt
Wait for each scan to finish, then restart your PC.

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Fix 8: Reset the Microsoft Store

If the error appears in Microsoft Store, press Windows + R, type wsreset.exe, and press Enter. The Store cache clears and the Store opens automatically when it is done.

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Frequently asked questions

It is the Windows code for “Access is denied”. The process that hit the error did not have permission to read or write a file, folder, or registry key.
Yes. Disable your antivirus temporarily, or run System Restore from Safe Mode, where third-party software does not load.
Your organization may restrict permissions through policy. Contact your IT administrator instead of changing ownership or permissions yourself.

Fix 0x80070422: The service cannot be started

Fix Windows Update errors caused by disabled services.