Fix Windows Error 0x80070005: Access Denied Issues

You are trying to install an app or run an update, but Windows is hitting you with an 'Access Denied' error 0x80070005. It feels like you are locked out of your own computer, usually because of corrupted cache files, conflicting account credentials, or restricted folder permissions.

Why this happens

This error occurs when Windows cannot write to a specific folder or system registry key due to damaged temporary files or insufficient user privileges.

Steps

1. 01
   Press Win + R, type wsreset.exe, and hit Enter to clear the Microsoft Store cache. A blank command window will appear and close automatically when the reset is finished.
2. 02
   Open Settings, go to Accounts, then Your accounts. If you see your email address listed more than once, remove the duplicate entries and restart your computer.
3. 03
   Navigate to Settings, System, Troubleshoot, then Other troubleshooters. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter to automatically detect and repair underlying update service issues.
4. 04
   Open Command Prompt as Administrator, type sfc /scannow, and hit Enter. This utility scans and repairs corrupted system files that often trigger access errors.
5. 05
   If a third-party installer is failing, right-click the setup file and select Run as administrator. This grants the installer the necessary permissions to write to protected system directories.

Still not working?

If these steps fail, check the Event Viewer under Windows Logs/System for specific error events occurring at the time of the failure. If you are specifically seeing this in Windows Update, your local SoftwareDistribution folder may be permanently corrupted and require a manual rename or purge. In extreme cases, a secondary user account might be needed to determine if your primary user profile is corrupted.

Frequently asked questions

Will resetting the Store cache delete my apps?

No, resetting the cache only clears temporary download data and will not remove installed apps or your personal files.

Is it safe to run sfc /scannow?

Yes, it is a built-in Microsoft tool that safely repairs corrupted system files using a local cache of healthy files.