How to Fix 'It Looks Like You Don't Have Permission to Save Changes to This File' on Windows 11/10

Are you unable to save files? Are you receiving It Looks Like You Don't Have Permission to Save Changes to This File error? Then follow this easy guide to fix the problem.

Are you facing the issue of "It looks like you don't have permission to save changes to this file" when saving an edited file in Windows? If yes, then don't worry! You are here at the right place because, in this post, we will guide you on how to resolve this error and also discuss why this error occurs in more detail.

What Causes 'It Looks Like You Don't Have Permission to Save Changes to This File'

Before going to the solution part, it's essential to understand why this error occurs. Look at four possible reasons why the "It looks like you don't have permission to save changes to this file" error occurs. These are like:

• Access to the user account is constrained.
• The modified image is stored in a read-only format.
• The available space is insufficient to store the file.
• A photograph that cannot be saved from its source is being blocked.

In the next part, we will learn how to fix this error successfully, so read the post till the end for a better understanding.

How to Fix 'It Looks Like You Don't Have Permission to Save Changes to This File' in 6 Ways

In this part of the post, we will guide you on resolving the "It looks like you don't have permission to save changes to this file" via six different methods. We will suggest readers apply the exact steps given in the guide to get the best result. Let's get started without wasting more time.

• 1. Run your photo app as an administrator on Windows
• 2. Unlock the target photo on your computer
• 3. Use the SFC and DISM commands in CMD
• 4. Reset the Windows photos application to fix issues
• 5. Disable antivirus software to save changes in the file
• 6. Disable the user account controller on Windows

These are the six methods we will use to fix the error. Let's discuss each method in detail. Follow all the exact steps in this guide to resolve this issue.

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Method 1. Run Your Photo App as an Administrator on Windows

If you are facing the "It looks like you don't have permission to save changes to this file" issue, it might be because you are trying to edit the file without admin access. Even if you have admin access, permission is limited by default. In such cases, you must run your photo app as an administrator on Windows. Follow the steps below to finish the process.

Step 1. Find out your photo editing application and right-click on it.

Step 2. Select the "Run as administrator" option from the list.

Step 3. Click on Yes on the pop-up dialogue box. After these changes, check whether your issue is resolved or not. This method is also workable to fix cannot open JPG files.

Method 2. Unlock the Target Photo on Your Computer

Sometimes when users want to move a photo from one drive to another, the permission issue occurs! In such a scenario, you must follow the below steps to solve the problem effectively.

Step 1. Navigate to the location where your image is stored, right-click it, and choose Properties from the dropdown.

Step 2. Now click on the General tab. At the bottom side of the general tab, you will get a message. Near that message, you will get a check box with having Unblock option. Just uncheck that box.

Step 3. You also must uncheck the box that reads the Read-only option near the Attributes section, and clicks Apply > OK button. After completing all these processes, check whether your issue is resolved.

Note: Sometimes you cannot access or edit the files on Windows just because you lock your USB drive physically, and you need to unlock USB drive to fix it.

Method 3. Use the SFC and DISM Command in CMD

If method two is not working, you can resolve the issue via SFC and DISM commands in CMD. Let's know the commands you must use.

Step 1. On the Windows search bar, type CMD. Now right-click the Command Prompt option and select Run as administrator.

Step 2. On the command prompt screen, type the following commands and ensure to press enter after each command. sfc /scannow, DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth, DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth, DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth should be typed in.

After running the SFC scannow command and DISM command, check whether or not the issue is resolved.

Method 4. Reset Windows Photos Application to Fix Issues

If you are still facing the issue, it's time to repair the Microsoft Photos application on your PC. This is a self-execution process that can identify any problems and fix them. If it doesn't work, then you must reset the photos application. Follow the exact steps given below to execute the process.

Step 1. Press the Windows + I keys together to open the Settings page.

Step 2. Click on the Apps section from the Settings page's left-side panel. Now click on the Installed Apps section and search for Microsoft Photos.

Step 3. Now click on the three dots near this application option and click Advanced Options. It will open a new page with different options.

Step 4. Now scroll down to that new page and locate Repair and Reset options. Try these two options individually and check if the issue is fixed!

Note: If you cannot reset the software, maybe you should try the factory reset. Remember to back up your data when you decide to do that.

Method 5. Disable Antivirus Software to Save Changes in the File

Most of the time, the Antivirus software restricts users from making changes to the file or folder. This usually occurs when there is the possibility of any computer virus from that program. In such a case, the only way to fix the issue is to disable the antivirus software temporarily. Follow the below steps to disable the antivirus temporarily.

Step 1. Press the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys simultaneously to open the task manager.

Step 2. Click the Start-up apps tab icon from the left side panel.

Step 3. Now right-click on the Antivirus icon and click on the Disable option. It will disable the antivirus temporarily.

Method 6. Disable User Account Control on Windows

If you are facing the error, then disabling the user account control on Windows can resolve your issue successfully. This excellent Windows feature assists the user in stopping the applications from performing particular actions that need admin settings.

Follow the below steps to disable the user account control on Windows.

Step 1. Press the Windows +I keys simultaneously to open the Settings page.

Step 2. On the Settings search bar, search for Change User Account Control settings and click on it.

Step 3. On the left side, you will get Always notify and Never notify points. Drag down, set the bar on the Never notify option, and click the OK button.

Recover Lost Photos After Fix It Looks Like You Don't Have Permission to Save Changes to This File

There is always a possibility that users may lose data while fixing the Its look like you don't have permission to save changes issue. You may accidentally delete some photos during the troubleshooting. Hopefully, you will not lose any data. If it happens, don't worry! You can quickly recover deleted files with the help of the most reliable data recovery tool EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.

This is one of the most advanced and intelligent recovery tools with several useful features. Let's check some of the key features of this tool.

• Recover deleted photos from formatted hard drives, corrupted hard drives, or an emptied Recycle Bin.
• Retrieve images, documents, emails, videos, and audio from various storage devices such as SD cards, USB drives, and external hard drives.
• Recover files after factory reset laptop or PC, and this program will help you when you lost data after a Windows update.
• Recover data from a dead hard drive. This powerful recovery tool can help you rescue data from an unbootable PC or laptop.

Conclusion

Here in this post, we have provided the six most effective and working methods to resolve its looks like we don't have permission to save changes to this file error. We suggest trying each method and experiencing which works better for you. Remember, there might be a chance of data loss during the process. Use the most reliable data recovery tool EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to recover data. Download it by clicking the following buttons.

It Looks Like You Don't Have Permission to Save Changes to This File FAQs

Here we will answer some frequently asked questions that might clear your doubts. So read this section carefully!

Why don't I have permission to access my folder?

The reasons behind you don't currently have permission to access this folder issue may be different like

• That occurs as a result of deleting a user or group from the Group or user names on the Security tab of the folder.
• An explicit "Deny" is applied to the user or group.
• The conflicting NTFS (New Technology File System) rights and share permissions.

How to fix the It looks like you don't have permission to save changes to this file issue?

You can fix it looks like you do not have permission to save changes to this file issue in several ways, like

• By running the SFC/DISM commands in CMD.
• By disabling antivirus software.
• disable windows account control on Windows
• Reset windows application

How do I give permission to save a file in C drive?

To permit saving a file in a C drive, you must ensure the user can access the drive. You can check by going to properties > security and then adding the user to the permission. Make sure the user has edit permission.

Why is the Word saying I don't have permission to save?

If you are facing the issue I do not have permission to save, then it's because your permissions are limited by default.