Solved "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file..."

[Jrklingerman]

"Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file..."

Hello,

I recently had some issues with user accounts on my Windows 7 Pro 64-bit PC. I ended up having to make a new user account, I transferred everything from one user profile folder to the other (including AppData).

I started experiencing issues with Windows Explorer, when I would click on any folder, I would get the message "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item." I also got this when trying to access Control Panel from the Start Menu.

One other thing I noticed from this was that the WiFi connection icon in the notification area shows up as a Ethernet disconnected icon instead of WiFi connected.


I was able to fix this by manually by restarting Windows Explorer as an administrator, but the problem with that fix is that I must manually do this every time I start Windows.

Is there any fix for this? Thank you!

 

[MilesAhead]

I have never found any benefit or advantage copying stuff to a new user account. Sad to say but in Windows you are better off to create a new user account, then install everything fresh.

Unless you can find an account migration tool that works. But I have never heard of one.

 

[Jrklingerman]

I have never found any benefit or advantage copying stuff to a new user account. Sad to say but in Windows you are better off to create a new user account, then install everything fresh.

Unless you can find an account migration tool that works. But I have never heard of one.

So, should I just make a new account then install everything fresh?

 

[Jrklingerman]

Fixed. Thank you!