ErrorFindly
0xC0000022ApplicationMedium

Error 0xC0000022 — STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED | Application Error Fix

Windows 10Windows 11Windows Server 2016Windows Server 2019Windows Server 2022

What Does 0xC0000022 Mean?

A process has requested access to an object but has not been granted those access rights. The security descriptor of the object does not allow the requested access.

Real-World Causes

  1. 1Application does not have sufficient permissions to access a file or resource
  2. 2User account lacks required privileges for the operation
  3. 3File or folder permissions were changed or are too restrictive
  4. 4UAC (User Account Control) blocking access without elevation
  5. 5Group Policy restrictions preventing access

Symptoms

  • ⚠Application fails to open, read, or write files
  • ⚠Installation fails with access denied error
  • ⚠Application crashes when trying to access protected resources
  • ⚠DLL loading fails due to restricted permissions on the DLL path

DIY Fix

Beginner-friendly steps you can try at home

  1. 1Run the application as administrator: right-click > Run as administrator
  2. 2Check file/folder permissions: right-click > Properties > Security tab
  3. 3Take ownership of the file: Properties > Security > Advanced > Change owner
  4. 4Temporarily disable antivirus to check if it is blocking access

Advanced Fix

For experienced users and IT professionals

  1. 1Use Process Monitor to identify exactly which file or registry access is being denied
  2. 2Use icacls command to reset permissions: icacls <path> /reset /t
  3. 3Check Group Policy for Software Restriction Policies or AppLocker rules
  4. 4Review the Security event log for audit failure events matching the denied access

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does running as administrator fix this?
Running as administrator gives the application elevated privileges, bypassing standard user restrictions. However, this should be a temporary workaround. The proper fix is to adjust the file or folder permissions so the application can run under a standard user account.
Could antivirus software cause this error?
Yes. Security software can block application access to files it considers suspicious. Try adding the application to your antivirus exclusion list or temporarily disabling real-time protection to test.

Related Error Codes

0xC0000043STATUS_SHARING_VIOLATION0xC0000034STATUS_OBJECT_NAME_NOT_FOUND0xC000003ASTATUS_OBJECT_PATH_NOT_FOUND

About the Author

Windows Troubleshooting Team

Verified against official Microsoft documentation and real-world diagnostic data. Error behavior confirmed across Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server.