Windows Cannot Access the Specified Device Path or File -- Could the Unblock Button Help?
The Unblock Button! a Surprise from Microsoft!
I support a wide range of Windows Servers and the sometimes strange behavior and "surprise" new things never cease to amaze me. Take today's example.
I'd connected via an RDP session to a Windows 2003 Server (Standard Edition, Service Pack 2) and needed to install an EXE that would setup Iron Mountain's LiveVault backup service. My method (like in every other server I'd run this on) was to navigate to an URL of a remote server, where the executable was located, and then double-click to run the file.
Except today, I got this error:
"Windows cannot access the specified device path or file. You may not have appropriate permissions to access the item."
Well, no problem, I thought. I guess I'll have to apply some serious SysAdmin mojo to this. I'll just copy it locally to the desktop and run it. Except that didn't work. With the file copied, I got the same error. I tried moving it to a temp directory to shorten the path. Nothing. Same error. Next I checked the security permissions. Permissions showed Administrators having Full Control. Nothing wrong with that.
What in the world? Why can't I do this? I'm logged in as an Admin. What's the deal?
Then I looked a little bit closer to that properties dialog box. Wait... what's that? When did an "unblock" button enter the picture? Here are the words to the left of the button, under a Security section: "This file came from another computer and might be blocked to help protect this computer."
Ah ha! Something new!
The Fix. Step-by-Step:
• Right-click the EXE
• Choose the General tab
• At the bottom of the dialog box, next to the "Security:" section, click the Unblock button. The button will gray out.
• Click OK to close the dialog box
• Launch the EXE as you normally would.
Interestingly, once I'd finished with the install and rebooted, I decided to peek back in on the dialog box for the installer EXE. That "Security:" section no longer showed. I guess Windows remembers that it's a "trusted" executable and removes the button.
I have no idea when this particular behavior entered the picture. Maybe something from Windows Update added it. Though I didn't try it, I've read that uninstalling the IE Enhanced Security under the Windows Components section will also remove this behavior.
Maybe I should have prayed about it, like I did with my Stuck Spark Plug Story.
Frankly, today, clicking the Unblock button is simple enough for me.
Now that I know it's there.
Published by Ron Masters
I may be a Systems Administrator by day, but finding abandoned places, writing fun articles, mentoring or praying for teens, jamming on guitars, sculpting sand, public speaking or working on pencil portraits... View profile
- How to Be a Better ParentThis article contains excellent information on raising healthy successful children and how to cope with the stress of parenting. From birth to young adult, information is provided to support, encourage, build self est...
- Controlling the Network AdministratorHow to control cisco network administrator.
- Encrypting File System (EFS) in Windows Server 2003 EnvironmentIn Windows 2000, Microsoft introduced Encrypted File System (EFS) - a new feature built into the operating system that makes securing user file
- The ColonyA intergalactic soldier must investigate the three aspects of a colony.
- World of Warcraft: Creating a Successful GuildThere is much more to creating a successful World of Warcraft guild than running to your guildmaster npc and applying for a charter. Planning out the path you will take as a guild is as important as the people you rec...
- CHMOD: Changing File Permissions Online
- How to Print Another User's Calendar in Microsoft Outlook
- How to Secure an Excel Spreadsheet
- Legal Techniques to Take While Implementing Online News Site
- Beginners Guide to Basic Commands for the Linux Terminal
- Adding Images to Your AC Articles
- Implementing the Development and Maintenance Enterprise Network Systems
- The Surprise Unblock Button from Microsoft
- You may not have appropriate permissions to access -- Can't run setup
- Launching install application generates error
2 Comments
Post a CommentI'm trying to solve a similar problem, except in my case the whole C drive is giving this error!
There is no unblock button in the General Properties of the drive, would you have any suggestions on how to fix it, please?
Thanks Ron. I'm not an IT guy (not near so) so I appreciate your help. I have had to remove spy wear on my computer before by restoring it to a previous date. Nothing else worked. Great write friend...again. : - )