You’re working on your Windows 11 computer, and you come across a file or folder that you want to modify. Perhaps it’s a document that a colleague sent you, or maybe it’s a critical system file that you need to edit for your project. However, when you try to make the necessary changes, a message pops up, saying, “You require permission to make changes to this folder”. It’s a frustrating situation that many users face, but understanding the root cause can help in finding a solution.
Also see: Shared Folder “You need permission to perform this action” Windows 11/10
In simple terms, this error is Windows telling you that you don’t have the necessary access rights to modify the file or folder in question. These permissions are crucial for system security and management, ensuring that files aren’t accidentally deleted or modified, potentially causing issues with your system.
There are variations to this error that provide more specifics about why you’re being denied access, such as requiring permission from an administrator, the SYSTEM, TrustedInstaller, or a specific user. Each of these variations signifies a different level of file or folder protection in the Windows environment.
- “You require permission from administrators to make changes to this folder”
- “You require permission from SYSTEM to make changes to this folder”
- “You require permission from TrustedInstaller to make changes to this folder”
- “You require permission from user/Everyone to make changes to this folder”
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Why does this error occur?
This error is associated with Windows User Account Control (UAC) and file system permissions. It comes up when you attempt to modify a file or a folder to which you do not have the necessary permissions.
File permissions are fundamental in the realm of Windows as they dictate who can access, modify, or execute certain files or directories. The permissions are usually set based on the roles of the users to ensure security and efficient file management.
Linked issue: “File not found or no read permission” in Windows 11
Variations of the error and their meaning
Permission from Administrators
This error occurs when you attempt to modify a file or directory that requires administrator-level permissions, but you’re using a non-administrator account or have not elevated your command with administrator privileges.
Permission from SYSTEM
The SYSTEM account is a built-in account used by the operating system to manage system tasks. If you’re receiving an error message that you need permission from SYSTEM, it means that the file or folder you’re trying to change is controlled by the system, and your account doesn’t have the needed permissions.
Permission from TrustedInstaller
The TrustedInstaller is a built-in user account in Windows that owns certain critical system files. If you’re getting an error stating that you need permission from TrustedInstaller, it indicates that the file or folder you’re trying to change is owned by TrustedInstaller, and you need its permission to proceed.
Permission from a user or Everyone
This error occurs when you try to alter a file or folder that is owned by another user (username) or requires permission from all users (Everyone) on the system.
Resolving the “You require permission to make changes to this folder” error
We can address these errors using a few different methods.
Log in as an administrator
The most straightforward solution to this error involves operating from an account with administrative privileges. Windows restricts access to certain files and folders, requiring administrator-level permissions for modifications. As such, if you’re logged into Windows with a standard user account, you won’t be able to modify these protected files or folders.
Logging in as an administrator gives you higher level access to perform necessary changes to these files or folders. Furthermore, administrator-level privileges are essential for implementing other solutions, such as changing file or folder permissions or taking ownership of a file or folder. If your account doesn’t currently have administrative privileges, you may need to switch to an account that does or elevate your current account to administrator status.
Adjust file or folder permissions
If you have administrative privileges, you can change the permissions for files or folders you’re attempting to modify. Here are the steps to change permissions:
- Right-click on the file or folder and choose “Properties”.
- Navigate to the “Security” tab and click “Edit”.
- Under the “Group or user names” section, select the account you’re using.
- Under the “Permissions for Users”, check “Allow” for “Full control” and apply the changes.
This method changes the permissions for the selected file or folder, allowing full control for your user account. This action includes the ability to read, write, and execute the file or folder, as well as delete or modify it.
Taking ownership of the file or folder
There may be instances where the file or folder you need to modify is owned by another user, TrustedInstaller or SYSTEM. To modify such files or folders, you’ll need to take ownership of them.
The process of taking ownership can be complex, so it’s important to follow the steps carefully to avoid causing system instability. You can refer to this guide on taking ownership of a file, folder, or an entire drive in Windows 11 for detailed instructions.
Taking ownership essentially gives you full control over the file or folder, thus allowing you the necessary permissions to make modifications. However, bear in mind that you should exercise caution when dealing with system files.
Perform actions via Command Prompt as SYSTEM account
To work around files or folders managed by the SYSTEM or TrustedInstaller, you might need to use the Command Prompt as the SYSTEM account. You can refer to this guide on how to run the Command Prompt or PowerShell as SYSTEM in Windows 11.
Once the Command Prompt is open as SYSTEM, you can use it to copy, rename, move, or delete files or folders. Here’s a brief overview of these commands:
- To copy a file:
copy source destination - To move a file:
move source destination - To rename a file:
rename originalname newname - To delete a file:
del filename - To delete a folder:
rmdir /s folderpath
Ensure you replace source, destination, originalname, newname, and filename with your specific file paths or names.
Summing up
File and folder permissions in Windows 11 are designed to protect vital data and system files from inadvertent or malicious changes. However, these permissions can sometimes obstruct necessary modifications. By using the solutions provided in this article, you may be able to get rid of the “You require permission to make changes to this folder” error and proceed to modify the file or folder in question. Always remember to exercise caution when adjusting permissions to avoid potential system-related problems.
