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Windows 10 has locked me out of my files...again. SOLVED

I'm a bit frustrated. If you have no interest in hearing a brief background story, please skip below. I have no idea why Windows does this.  I have had windows on my computer previously, and at that time, I have had TONS of data lost because one folder that had tons of data and sub-folders got this disease. (for the curious, about 400 GB) After scouring the internet for days to find a solution, I had lost hope, and just completely reinstalled windows( wiped all settings, folders, etc ). Here I am, about 1 week later. I was just finishing up something for work on my laptop in Photoshop, and the file got locked. Oh my god. Lost my mind when I saw this. Hours of work, just lost - to the same issue that made me lose my mind in the first place.

Information that might actually help - 
I was working on this little Photoshop project, when I needed to briefly close Photoshop, and when reopened, the file was locked. Nothing could be done to it. Renaming, deleting, moving, opening, copying, pasting, etc. Nothing.

A quick internet search gave me this idea -

Image

That is the result of Right clicking on the locked file and going into its properties and into the security tab.

This is the result of clicking on the 'advanced' button towards the bottom. 

Image

Clicking on the 'change owner' or the 'continue'  button yields this - 

Image

Please. If anyone can help me, if would be very much appreciated. I've come to terms with losing this file already. I'm not sure if I should be pissed a windows or myself for not having a backup saved. Already let my boss know about the possible setback. :(

Hi,

For us to find the best resolution for you, kindly tell us the following information:

  • How are you trying to save your files?
  • Are you using a security software to protect your files?
  • Are you able to back up your files?

Regards.

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Hi,

For us to find the best resolution for you, kindly tell us the following information:

  • How are you trying to save your files?
  • Are you using a security software to protect your files?
  • Are you able to back up your files?

Regards.

Sorry for the really late reply! I am saving the files normally, through Photoshop(which has never been a problem before). I am not currently using any security software, because I don't use any weird websites, open fishy emails, or download questionable stuff. And if by 'back up' my files, you mean save them or recover that file, then no. I cannot do anything to the file.

I am still so confused as to how this happened. I am the only user on this computer.

Thanks for the quick response, and sorry for the late reply, again. :)

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Scan for malware using Windows defender and with Malwarebytes free.

You can't blame Windows for your for not having a backup saved.

Denis

Try*3 - a user
Dell Inspirons 7779, 1545, 9300; Windows 10 Home x64 & Pro x86; Office Pro 2007; HP DJ2540; HTC UPlay [Android 6.0], MyPhoneExplorer

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Scan for malware using Windows defender and with Malwarebytes free.

You can't blame Windows for your for not having a backup saved.

Denis

Sorry if I made it seem I was blaming windows for not having a backup, I was blaming windows for locking me out of my own file. Malware scan came back empty, which was expected because I do not have any programs from any malicious sites. This computer is a fresh install of windows with just a few programs installed. :/

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If both Windows defender & Malwarebytes report that there is no malware then I suggest checking the permissions of the C:\Users\DEV-PC folder itself. 

If your Windows & the file system are working correctly then

  • You should be able to work at the C:\Users\DEV-PC folder level to fix things.
  • You should find that the folder is owned by the System and that full control is enabled for the System, for the Administrators group & for the user DEV-PC. 
  • Set the checkbox for Replace all child object permissions with inheritable permission entries from this object.
  • Then just click on Apply.

Denis

Try*3 - a user
Dell Inspirons 7779, 1545, 9300; Windows 10 Home x64 & Pro x86; Office Pro 2007; HP DJ2540; HTC UPlay [Android 6.0], MyPhoneExplorer

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To anyone who has been experiencing this problem and just can't find any solution, I urge you to try this program. After months of dealing with this, this program seems to have fixed my issue. I came back to post this so people hopefully won't have to go through all the trouble I did.

https://emcosoftware.com/unlock-it

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Last updated April 19, 2025 Views 15,012 Applies to: