In this article, we will guide you how to regain access to your hard drive when it fails.
How to regain access to hard drive
When you connect a previously used drive to a new or different computer either as an external or internal drive, you will not have access to that drive. When you try to view, add or delete files on that drive, you will receive the error message: “E:\ is not accessible. Access is denied“. The message on your drive may be different, but don't worry, there's a solution.
In Windows 7, when you look at drives in Windows Explorer, one of the drives you just added won't report any data about its size or free space.
This problem will be fixed quite simply with a two-step process. First, you must take back ownership of the hard drive, then authorize yourself as the new owner.
Note: Do not try this on the drive C:\ drive (boot drive), because it will change the system and cause you to reinstall Windows.
1. Take back ownership
In Windows Explorer, right-click the drive you want to take ownership of, then select Properties from the drop-down menu.
Click to select a tab Security.
Click select button Advanced.
Click the tab Owner in Advanced Security Settings.
Click select button Edit.
Click select button Other users or groups.
In the “Object Types“, uncheck all boxes except Users, then press OK.
Click select button Advanced.
Click select button Find Now.
In section Search Resultsclick select user name that you log into Windows, then press OK.
Verify the correct user name in the object window and click OK.
Check the box next to it Replace owner on subcontainers and objects.
You will see the warning message “All permissions will be replaced…“. This is very normal. Click select Yes.
A status window appears, notifying that file permissions have changed.
If you see the error message “Access is denied” is no problem at all. That message refers only to a specific system file being used. You don't need to access it. Just press the button Continue.
Press OK on the last message in the Windows Security window.
By doing the above steps, you have successfully regained ownership of the hard drive.
2. Grant access
In Windows Explorer, right-click the drive you just took back ownership of, then select Properties from the drop-down menu.
Under Properties, select tab Security. You will see your username in the window Group or user names. Click the username to highlight it, then click the button Edit.
In the column Allowcheck the box Full controlthen click the button OK.
The hard drive will appear in Windows Explorer with information about its size and free space. You can click on it, view the folders, then add, delete or modify files if necessary.
With not very complicated operations, you can regain access to your hard drive. If you encounter a similar error, don't forget to use this method!
Wish you success!
