Unable to open up a file or folder in a drive on Windows? Are you dealing with the “The drive is not accessible. Access has been restricted” error? Reformatting the partition can resolve this issue, but it comes with the risk of data loss. To ensure your data remains safe and recover any lost files after formatting, consider using Advanced Disk Recovery. This powerful tool helps you retrieve data even from a formatted drive.<\/span><\/p>\n Note : <\/strong>The Drive D: is just taken as an example. The error can vary depending on the Driver letter the problematic drive uses.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n Users usually think that the \u201cDrive is not accessible \u2013 Access is denied\u201d or D:\\ Drive is not accessible, is encountered due to a hardware issue, or is because the drive is in use. They are not wrong as they are a potential cause. However, that is not always the case. There are several other reasons that cause the error. Here, we enlist the core factors -error occurs due to the following reasons \u2013<\/span><\/p>\n Therefore, before following the troubleshooting steps, ensure the drive is not locked.<\/p>\n There are many types of error messages that one can get while facing disk errors. Here are the most common ones.<\/span><\/p>\n Drive is not accessible. The parameter is incorrect. <\/b>When the Windows OS reads any storage device, external or internal, but fails because there is a mismatch of the drive\u2019s settings, connection, or structure, this error message is displayed.<\/span><\/p>\n Drive is not accessible. Incorrect function.<\/b> If this error message is displayed, then it means that Windows OS has detected the drive successfully. However, when Windows tries to carry out any operation (read, open, write, query), the drive does not carry out that task or function.<\/span><\/p>\n Drive is not accessible. The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable. <\/b>In this case, the operating system has successfully detected the drive and the partition, but cannot read the file system structure, which includes folders, metadata, and indexes, due to severe corruption.<\/span><\/p>\n To unlock the drive locked by BitLocker, right-click the drive > Unlock drive > type the password, and that\u2019s it.<\/p>\n Once you are sure it is not locked, follow these steps to fix the issue.<\/p>\n When the external hard drive displays location is not available, access is denied<\/strong>, or “The drive is inaccessible. Access has been restricted<\/strong>, ” it means you don’t have the correct privilege settings. To fix the issue, you need to take ownership. To do so, follow these steps:<\/p>\n 1.<\/strong> Go to My PC. Read Here\u00a0 <\/strong>– Solved \u2013 Unable To Terminate Process Access Is Denied in Windows<\/a><\/p>\n When the \u201cdrive is not accessible<\/strong>\u201d issue is followed by the \u201cAccess is Denied<\/strong>\u201d message, the possible reasons for this problem are disk errors, bad sectors, or a corrupt file system. To fix this, you\u2019ll need to run the CHKDSK command. To do so, follow these steps:<\/p>\n 1. Connect the external hard drive.<\/span> Now, try to access the drive; you should not face any problems. However, if you still face the problem, you must format the drive<\/a>. In such a case, we recommend using Advanced Disk Recovery to get back the data that will be deleted.<\/p>\n If changing properties and running the CHKDSK command on the disk does not work, you should probably try to reassign a drive letter<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n To do so, follow these steps –<\/span><\/p>\n 1. Press Win+X to bring up the quick access menu.<\/span><\/p>\n 2. From the menu, click on Disk Management to open the tool. 4. Find the Change Drive Letter option in the menu and click on it.<\/span><\/p>\n 7. Click OK to save the change.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Restart your PC after changing the driver letter. This way, you can resolve the accessibility issue if it was due to the assigned drive letter. If not, do not worry, as we have one more fix left.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After you have tried everything, you should save the drive and keep it usable. If the current data on it has gone corrupt and is not allowing the drive to open, you may not have a choice other than formatting it. Use the NTFS file system to format the drive you should be able to use it again.<\/span><\/p>\n You may need to format the drive if none of these fixes work. Make a cautious decision to backup any vital files before starting, though, as formatting will remove all data from the device. Here are steps to follow to proceed with the formatting of the inaccessible drive.<\/span><\/p>\n 1. Press Win+X to bring up the quick access menu. 5. Ensure that the NTFS file system is selected and click on OK to complete the process.<\/span><\/p>\n After successfully formatting it, you can find that the drive is now accessible. However, the data you had will be lost. To get the data back, you can try data recovery software, as it is possible to recover data from formatted hard drives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Read Also : How Do you Fix a USB Drive That Says it Needs to be Formatted<\/a><\/p>\n Sometimes, the presence of malware can end up in such error messages which deter you from accessing the drive. If a malware or virus has corrupted your files or added hidden files which alter the regular operation of your system, you can receive a \u2018drive not accessible\u2019 message. It is also possible that a malware added an encryption to it, in this case, you need to run a full scan using Windows Defender or a third party software. <\/span><\/p>\n Get permission by changing drive ownership<\/b><\/p>\n Use this when you get Access is denied or permission-related errors.<\/span><\/p>\n 1. Open This PC. If the issue is on the main disk –<\/span><\/p>\n 1. Open Command Prompt (Admin). 1. Reconnect the drive. Note : <\/strong>You could also try to use a different USB port, replace the cable or test on another computer.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Some experts have stated that connecting the drive directly to the motherboard helps resolve the issues caused by faulty USB cables, hubs, or external enclosures. A direct connection eliminates any middle-item in the connection and confirming if the hard disk is faulty<\/a> or not.<\/span><\/p>\n Users can use the BitLocker Drive Encryption to encrypt and lock the drive. Once locked the contents of the drive cannot be visible unless you use the password or recovery key to access the drive. If you move the drive to another PC, it will not remember the key or password and display the Drive Is Not Accessible error. The only solution to this issue is to unlock the drive using the recovery key or correct password.<\/span><\/p>\n If, unfortunately, you are not able to fix the \u201cDrive Is Not Accessible\u201d error on a Windows PC, then you could use a file recovery software to retrieve your data. This is possible if there is a logical failure on the hard disk, and also in the following scenarios.<\/span><\/p>\n We have tried and tested many file recovery apps and found Advanced Disk Recovery to be one of the best software programs to recover files and folders from corrupted, formatted, and hard drives with logical failure. However, recovering files may not always be possible using file recovery software if one of the following situations occurs.<\/span><\/p>\n Note : <\/strong>Contact an In-Lab Data Recovery Professional if you encounter any of the above cases.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n With the help of Advanced Disk Recovery, the data recovery software for Windows PC,<\/a> you can restore files from an inaccessible or formatted drive.<\/p>\n For the best outcomes, never store the retrieved data on the same drive you are scanning and avoid using it.<\/p>\n Here are the steps to use Advanced Disk Recovery.<\/strong><\/p>\n 1.<\/strong> Download, install, and launch Advanced Disk Recovery.<\/p>\n 2.<\/strong> Select the storage type and drive letter from which you wish to recover data.<\/p>\n 3.<\/strong> Next, choose from the two scanning modes – Quick Scan & Deep Scan<\/p>\n The quick scan identifies files from MFT, while the Deep Scan performs sector-wide scanning.<\/p>\n 4.<\/strong> Click Scan Now and wait for the drive to be examined.<\/p>\n 6.<\/strong> Pick a different location where you want to restore the file.<\/p>\n This is how, using Advanced Disk Recovery, you can get deleted files from the drive back, which shows the Access is Denied error.<\/p>\n Also Read-<\/strong> How To Recover Unsaved Word Document On Windows 10<\/a><\/p>\n![\"download\"](\"https:\/\/bg.systweak.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/plugins\/download-button-shortcode-new\/images\/window_btn.png\")
<\/a><\/p><\/div>\nQuick Fixes<\/h3>\n
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Why Does the Error Say D:\\ Drive is Not Accessible<\/h3>\n
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What Are the Different Types of Disk Errors?<\/h3>\n
How Do you Unlock the BitLocker Encrypted Drive?<\/h3>\n
![\"system-drive\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2022\/03\/system-drive.webp\")
<\/p>\nHow to Fix Drive is not Accessible \u201cAccess is Denied” Error?<\/h2>\n
Fix 1: Fix Drive Is Not Accessible via Properties<\/h3>\n
\n2.<\/strong> Right-click the inaccessible hard drive > Properties<\/p>\n![\"drive-properties\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2022\/03\/drive-properties.webp\")
\n3.<\/strong> Click the Security tab > Advanced > Edit > click Change > enter the user account name and click Check Name > modify the ownership.![\"advanced-setting\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2022\/03\/advanced-setting.webp\")
<\/p>\n![\"local-drive\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2022\/03\/local-drive.webp\")
<\/p>\n![\"user-group\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2022\/03\/user-group.webp\")
<\/p>\nFix 2: Run CHKDSK Command<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>2. Open the elevated Command Prompt. Type Command Prompt > right-click > Run as administrator.<\/span>
\n<\/span>3. Type chkdsk D: \/f \/r in the Command Prompt window. (Here, D is the disk\u2019s drive letter, which shows the \u201cdrive is not accessible\u201d error.)<\/span>
\n<\/span>4. Click Yes to proceed.<\/span><\/p>\nFix 3: Assign a Different Drive Letter<\/h3>\n
![\"device-manager\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/device-manager.webp\")
<\/p>\n
\n3. In the Window, select the partition of the drive that you cannot open and right-click on it.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Disk-Management\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Disk-Management.webp\")
<\/p>\n![\"click-on-change\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2022\/03\/click-on-change.webp\")
\n5. Click on Change to initiate the process and select the drive letter.
\n<\/span>6. Select a letter from the dropdown that has not already been used.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"choose-a-letter\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2022\/03\/choose-a-letter.webp\")
<\/p>\nFix 4: Format the Drive<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>2. From the menu, click on Disk Management to open the tool.
\n<\/span>3. In the Window, select the partition of the drive that you cannot open and right-click on it.
\n<\/span>4. Find the Format option in the menu and click on it. ![\"format-drive-window\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2022\/03\/format-drive-window.webp\")
<\/span><\/p>\nFix 5: Check for Malware & Remove Threats<\/h3>\n
Fix 6: Get Permission or Change Drive Ownership<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>2. Right-click the affected drive \u2192 Properties.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"drive](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2022\/03\/drive-properties-1.webp\")
\n3. Go to the Security tab.
\n<\/span>4. Click Advanced.![\"Security](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Security-tab.webp\")
\n<\/span>5. At the top, next to Owner, click Change.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"change](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2022\/03\/change-permission.webp\")
\n6. Type your Windows username Or type \u201cAdministrators\u201d
\n<\/span>7. Click Check Names \u2192 OK
\n<\/span>8. Enable Replace owner on subcontainers and objects
\n<\/span>9. Click Apply \u2192 OK<\/span><\/p>\nFix 7: Check And Repair File System<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>2. Type <\/span>sfc \/scannow <\/b>and press Enter.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"SFC-command-to-scan-corrupt-files\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/SFC-command-to-scan-corrupt-files.webp\")
\n3. After it finishes, copy and paste <\/span>DISM \/Online \/Cleanup-Image \/RestoreHealth <\/b>followed by Enter.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"use-DISM-command\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2022\/11\/use-DISM-command.webp\")
\n4. This repairs Windows components that interact with file systems.<\/span><\/p>\nFix 8: Check Your Connections (Cable and USB Port)<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>2. Safely eject the drive.
\n![\"eject](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2022\/03\/eject-extreme.webp\")
\n<\/span>3. Unplug it completely.
\n<\/span>4. Wait 10\u201315 seconds.
\n<\/span>5. Plug it back in firmly.<\/span><\/p>\nFix 9: Connect the Drive Directly to the Motherboards<\/h3>\n
Fix 10: For BitLocker Drive Encryption<\/h3>\n
Bonus: Can A File Recovery Software Help Recover Lost Files From A Disk Displaying \u201cDrive Is Not Accessible\u201d?<\/h3>\n
\n
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How To Recover Files from a Drive that Shows Inaccessible Hard Drive Partition<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n![\"Start](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Start-Scan-Advanced-Disk-Recovery.webp\")
<\/p>\n![\"Advanced](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Advanced-disk-recovery.webp\")
<\/p>\n![\"advanced-disk-recovery--scan-files\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2022\/03\/adr-scan-files.webp\")
\n5.<\/strong> Analyze the scan results. Select the files you want to recover > hit the \u2018Recover\u2019 button.<\/p>\n![\"advanced-disk-recovery-scan-result\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2022\/03\/adr-scan-result.webp\")
<\/p>\n![\"advanced-disk-recovery-offering-option-to-select-drive\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.systweak.com\/content\/wp\/bg_systweak_com\/uploads\/2022\/03\/recover-in-drive.webp\")
\n7.<\/strong> Advanced Disk Recovery will show a confirmation message after recovering the files.<\/p>\nFrequently Asked Questions<\/h3>\n