How to FIX: Drive not accessible, Access is Denied on Drive X: (Windows 10/8/7 OS)

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When Windows throws the "Drive is not accessible. Access is Denied" error for a specific drive letter (e.g., Drive D:, E:, or X:), it usually boils down to restricted NTFS permissions, a corrupt file system state, or outdated security ownership.

Method 1: Take Ownership of Drive X: (GUI Method)

When Windows revokes permission to open an internal or external drive, re-claiming ownership via File Explorer restores full access.

Step-by-Step Layout:

Steps:

  1. Open This PC, right-click Drive X:, and select Properties.

  2. Switch to the Security tab and click Advanced near the bottom.

  3. Click Change next to the Owner field.

  4. Type Administrators or your current Windows username into the text box, click Check Names, then click OK.

  5. Check "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects".

  6. Check "Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries from this object".

  7. Click Apply, then OK on all prompt boxes.

Method 2: Force Access via Command Prompt (Fastest Code Fix)

If File Explorer freezes or blocks you from changing security properties, use administrative command line overrides.

  1. Press Win + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as Administrator.

  2. Execute the following commands in order (replace X: with your actual drive letter):

Code 1: Take Ownership of the Entire Volume

Code 2: Grant Full Permission to Administrators Group

Code 3: Reset Inherited ACL Permissions (If Files Are Still Blocked)

Method 3: Repair File System & Bad Sectors (CHKDSK)

If user security settings are fine but the volume index is corrupt, chkdsk repairs the drive structure.

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (Win + S $\rightarrow$ cmd $\rightarrow$ Run as Administrator).

  2. Run this command:

  • /f: Fixes errors found on the disk.

  • /r: Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information.

  • /x: Forces the volume to dismount first if necessary.

Method 4: Assign a New Drive Letter

Sometimes Windows caches bad drive letter permissions. Reassigning the letter refreshes system access.

Step-by-Step Layout:

  • Press Win + X and select Disk Management.

  • Right-click Drive X: and select Change Drive Letter and Paths....

  • Click Change..., pick a new letter from the dropdown (e.g., Z:), and hit OK.

Quick Troubleshooting Summary

Error Trigger

Primary Solution

Command / Action

Permission Denied

GUI Ownership Reset

Drive Properties $\rightarrow$ Security $\rightarrow$ Advanced

Locked by System

Forced CLI Access

takeown /f X:\ /r /d y

Corrupted Partition

Disk File System Repair

chkdsk X: /f /r

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