How to Fix Error 5 Access Is Denied on Windows 10?

Error 5 Access Is Denied on Windows 10 usually pops up when you try to install a program or run a command that requires administrator privileges. Your user account does not have the right permissions to make changes to system files or the Windows installer service is blocked by your security settings. Here is how to fix it step by step.

Run the Installer as Administrator

The simplest fix is to run the installer with elevated privileges. Find the setup file you are trying to run, right-click it, and select Run as Administrator. Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt. Many installers need admin access to write files to the Program Files folder and the Windows Registry. If you have been double-clicking the file to run it, that uses your standard user permissions which may not be enough.

Disable or Temporarily Turn Off Your Antivirus

Antivirus software sometimes blocks installers from making changes to protected system folders. This triggers the Error 5 message even though the installer is safe. Temporarily disable your antivirus, run the installation, and then turn it back on once the software is installed. On Windows Security go to Virus and Threat Protection then Manage Settings and turn off Real-Time Protection. Remember to turn it back on after the installation finishes.

Check Your User Account Type

If your Windows 10 account is a Standard user and not an Administrator, you will get Error 5 on many installations. Go to Settings then Accounts then Your Info and check if your account says Administrator below your name. If it says Standard, you need to switch to an admin account. Go to Settings then Accounts then Family and Other Users, click on your account, select Change Account Type, and change it from Standard User to Administrator.

Use Command Prompt to Grant Permissions

If the error happens when running commands in Command Prompt, you need to open it as Administrator. Click the Start button, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator. For PowerShell do the same but search for PowerShell instead. Running commands in a standard command prompt window does not have permission to modify system settings, services, or protected files.

Reset Windows Installer Service Permissions

A corrupted Windows Installer service can cause Error 5 during software installations. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run these commands one at a time: msiexec /unregister then msiexec /regserver. This unregisters and re-registers the Windows Installer service which resets its permissions back to default. Try running the installation again after this.

Take Ownership of the Temp Folder

Many installers extract temporary files to the Windows Temp folder before installing. If your account does not have full control over this folder, the installer gets blocked with Error 5. Navigate to C:\Windows\Temp in File Explorer, right-click the Temp folder, select Properties, click the Security tab, click Advanced, and click Change next to Owner. Type your username, click Check Names, and click OK. Then check the box for Replace all child object permission entries and click Apply.

Modify Local Security Policy Settings

Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise editions have a Local Security Policy that can restrict software installation. Press Windows plus R, type secpol.msc, and press Enter. Go to Local Policies then Security Options. Find User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode and set it to Disabled. Restart the computer and try the installation. Turn this setting back on after you are done installing because disabling it lowers your system security.

Create a New Administrator Account

If your current admin account has corrupted permissions that cannot be fixed, create a new administrator account as a workaround. Go to Settings then Accounts then Family and Other Users, click Add Someone Else to This PC, select I Do Not Have This Person Sign In Information, then Add a User Without a Microsoft Account. Create a local account, then change its type to Administrator. Log into this new account and try running the installation from there.