Windows Server - "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file"

• Symptoms

Even though you logged in using the Domain 'Administrator' account in Windows Server 2019, you could not run many applications such as Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc), Language Settings, Change adapter options on the Network & Internet, etc.

You get the following error message saying that "Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item".

• Resolution

A missing security policy causes this issue. Here are steps to resolve this permission problem.

Step 1. Run 'Local Group Policy Editor.'

C:\Windows\System32\gpedit.msc

Step 2. Find a security policy 'User Account Control: Admin Approval Mode for the Built-in Administrator account.'

The policy is located at Local Computer Policy -> Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options.

'Security Setting' is set to 'Not Defined.'

Step 3. Change the setting to 'Enabled.'

Step 4. Reboot the system to take effect.