How to Fix ‘You Don’t Have Permission to Save Changes to This File’ on Windows 11/10

Have you ever encountered the issue "It looks like you don't have permission to save changes to this file" while trying to save a modified file in Windows? If so, worry not! You've come to the right place, as this article will guide you through resolving this error and delve into why it occurs in the first place.

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What causes “You do not have permission to save changes to this file”?

Before diving into the solutions, it's crucial to understand the reasons behind the error. Here are four possible causes that might lead to the "It looks like you don't have permission to save changes to this file" error. These may include:

• Access to user accounts is limited.
• Modified images are stored in read-only format.
• There is insufficient space to save the file.
• Saving photos that can't be retrieved from the source is prohibited.

In the next section, we will learn how to fix this error successfully, so please read the whole article for better understanding.

How to Fix the "You Don't Have Permission to Save Changes to This File" Error in 6 Ways

In this part of the article, we will guide you through six different methods to fix the “It looks like you don't have permission to save changes to this file” issue. We recommend that readers follow the exact steps in the guide for the best results. Let's not waste any more time and get started.

• 1. Run the Photos App as an Administrator on Windows
• 2. Unlock the Target Photo on Your Computer
• 3. Use SFC and DISM Commands in CMD
• 4. Reset the Windows Photos App to Fix the Issue
• 5. Disable Antivirus Software to Allow File Modifications
• 6. Disable the Windows User Account Control

These are the six methods we'll use to fix the issue. Let's discuss each one in detail and follow all the exact steps outlined in this guide to resolve the problem.

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Method 1: Run the Photos App as an Administrator on Windows

If you see the message "It looks like you don't have permission to save changes to this file," it's likely because you're trying to edit the file without administrative permissions. Even if you do have admin access, the system is set to restrict it by default. In that case, you'll need to run your photo editor with administrative privileges on Windows. Here's how:

Step 1: Find your photo editing app and right-click on it.

Step 2: Select the "Run as administrator" option from the list.

Step 3: Click “Yes” when prompted. Check if the issue is resolved after making these changes. This solution also works for fixing issues with unable to open JPG files.

Method 2: Unlock the Target Photo on Your Computer

When users try to move photos from one drive to another, permission issues can arise! In such cases, you must follow these steps effectively to resolve the problem.

Step 1: Locate the image file, right-click on it, and select “Properties” from the drop-down menu.

Step 2: Now, click on the “General” tab. At the bottom of the General tab, you'll see a message. Next to that message, you'll see a checkbox with an “Unblock” option. Just uncheck that box.

Step 3. You must also uncheck the box next to 'Read-only' located in the 'Attributes' section, and then click on 'Apply' > 'OK'. After doing all these processes, check if the problem has been resolved.

Note: There could be times when you may not be able to access or edit files on Windows due to the physical locking of the USB drive, and you would need to unlock USB drive to resolve the issue.

Method 3: Use SFC and DISM Commands in CMD Utilizing the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tools in the Command Prompt is an effective way to repair Windows system files. Follow these steps: 1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator: - Press `Win + X` and then select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "PowerShell (Admin). 2. Run the SFC scan: In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter: ``` sfc /scannow ``` This will scan all protected system files and attempt to automatically fix any damaged or missing ones. 3. Wait for the scan to complete, which may take some time. 4. If SFC can't fix everything, try running the DISM scan: First, run the DISM command to clean and restore the online image: ``` dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth ``` This process might take longer since it downloads necessary files from the Windows Update servers. 5. After the DISM scan finishes, run the SFC scan again: ``` sfc /scannow ``` 6. Restart your computer and check if the issue has been resolved. Keep in mind that both tools require administrator privileges, and do not close the Command Prompt window during their execution. If these steps don't resolve the problem, you might need to consider other troubleshooting options, such as System Restore or reinstalling Windows.

If Method 2 doesn't work, you can resolve the issue with SFC and DISM commands in CMD. Let's see the commands you need to use.

Step 1: In the Windows search bar, type "CMD." Right-click on the "Command Prompt" option and choose "Run as administrator."

Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, enter each of the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each: ``` sfc /scannow DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth ``` Make sure to enter these commands in the correct order.

After running the SFC scannow command and the DISM command, check if the problem is resolved.

Method 4: Reset the Windows Photos app to fix the issue Click on #4 here: #4 When the Windows Photos app encounters problems, resetting it can often help resolve the issue. Follow these steps to reset the Windows Photos app: 1. Press the `Win + X` key combination and select "Apps & Features" from the menu. 2. In the "Apps & Features" window, scroll down and locate "Windows Photos," then click on it. 3. Click the "Advanced options" link. 4. On the Advanced options page, find and click the "Reset" button. 5. If prompted for confirmation, click "Reset" again to proceed. 6. Wait for the resetting process to complete, then restart your computer. 7. Reopen the Windows Photos app to see if the problem has been resolved. Please note that resetting the app will return it to its default state, potentially losing any custom settings. However, this usually effectively addresses issues within the application.

If you're still having issues, it might be time to repair the Microsoft Photos app on your PC. This is a self-executing process that identifies and fixes any issues. If that doesn't work, you'll need to reset the Photos app. Follow the steps exactly as provided.

Step 1: Press the Windows + I keys to open the Settings page.

Step 2: In the left panel of the Settings page, click on "Apps." Then, in the "Installed apps" section, search for Microsoft Photos.

Step 3: Now, tap on the three dots next to the app's option, and then click on “Advanced options.” This will open a new page with different options.

Step 4: Scroll down on the new page until you find the “Repair and Reset” options. Try both of these to see if that fixes the problem!

Note: If you can't reset the software, you might want to try a factory reset. When you decide to do this, make sure to back up your data.

Method 5: Disable antivirus software to save file changes

Most of the time, an antivirus blocks users from modifying files or folders. This usually happens when a program might contain a computer virus. The only way to fix this is to disable the antivirus temporarily. To do that, follow these steps:

Step 1: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open the Task Manager.

Step 2: Click the "Launch App" icon in the left-hand panel.

Step 3: Right-click the antivirus icon, and select "Disable." This will disable the antivirus temporarily.

Method 6: Disable User Account Control in Windows

If you come across an error, disabling User Account Control (UAC) on Windows might solve your issue. This great Windows feature helps users block apps that require admin privileges from performing certain actions.

Follow these steps to disable User Account Control (UAC) on Windows:

Step 1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings page.

Step 2: In the search box, type “Change User Account Control settings,” and then click on it.

Step 3: On the left, you'll see the options “Always Notify” and “Never Notify.” Slide the button to the “Never Notify” option, and then tap “OK.”

"Photos Re recovery after repair - It seems you don't have permission to save changes to this file"

When fixing the "It looks like you don't have permission to save your changes" issue, there is a risk of data loss. During the troubleshooting process, you might accidentally delete some photos. Hopefully, you won't lose any data. If that happens, don't worry! You can quickly recover deleted files with the most reliable data recovery tool – Data Recovery Wizard.

This is an advanced and intelligent recovery tool with multiple practical features. Let's explore some of its main highlights.

• Recover deleted photos from a formatted hard drive, a damaged disk, or an emptied Recycle Bin.
• Restore images, documents, emails, videos, and audio files from various storage devices like SD cards, USB drives, and external hard drives.
• Retrieve files after a factory reset on your laptop or PC, and this program comes in handy when you lose data after a Windows update.
• Recover data from a non-bootable hard drive. This powerful recovery tool can help salvage data from an unbootable desktop or laptop.

Conclusions

In this article, we provide you with six of the most effective and feasible methods to fix the “We don't seem to have permission to save changes to this file” error. We recommend that you try each method and see which one works best for you. Please keep in mind that data loss may occur during this process. Recover your data with the most reliable data recovery tool – Data Recovery Wizard. Download it by clicking on the button below.

It looks like you don't have permission to save changes to this FAQ.

Here, we will address some common questions to help clarify any doubts. Please read this section carefully!

Why don't I have permission to access my folder?

The reasons for encountering the "You currently don't have permission to access this folder" issue can vary, such as

This may occur if a user or group was deleted from the "Users or Groups" list on the "Security" tab of a folder. The user or group has explicit "Deny" permissions. There is a conflict between NTFS (New Technology File System) permissions and share permissions.

How do I fix the "You don't have permission to save changes to this file" issue?

You can try several methods to resolve the issue "It looks like you don't have permission to save changes to this file," such as: 1. Run as Administrator: Right-click on the file or application and select "Run as administrator." 2. Modify file permissions: Right-click on the file, choose "Properties," then navigate to the "Security" tab. In the "Groups or user names" list, find your account and ensure the "Write" permission is checked. 3. Folder Options settings: Open Control Panel, go to "Folder Options" or "View" settings, and make sure that "Hide protected operating system files" and "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" are correctly configured. 4. Check antivirus software: Sometimes antivirus software can block modifications to files. Temporarily disable the antivirus and then try saving the changes. 5. Restart your computer: Occasionally, a simple restart can resolve permission issues. 6. Confirm the file is not in use by another program: If the file is being used by another program, you might not be able to save changes. Close any programs that might be using the file and try again. 7. If none of these methods work, you may need to contact technical support or the developer of the file for further assistance.

• Run the SFC/DISM commands in CMD.
• Disable antivirus software.
• Turn off User Account Control on Windows.
• Reset Windows apps.

How can I allow file saving on the C drive?

To allow saving files to the C drive, you must ensure the user has access to the drive. You can check and add user permissions through these steps: right-click the folder or drive, select "Properties" > "Security," and then add the user to the permissions list. Make sure the user has "Edit" permissions.

Why does Word tell me I don't have permission to save?

If you're seeing the message “I don't have permission to save,” it may be because your permissions are restricted by default.