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What is error message, "Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file"?

Posted By : Henry of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on November 15, 2004

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When I try to open most programs. I get the error message, Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permission to access the item. Please help!!!

This question was answered on November 15, 2004. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.


You are probaly attempting to start multiple programs or open multiple files at the same time which leads you to receive the following error message:

"Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item."

This behavior can occur if you click to select mutiple icons on the desktop and include the Internet Explorer icon, and then press ENTER.

To work around this issue, do not click to select the Internet Explorer icon when you select multiple icons, or double click each icon one at a time

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Posted by Henry of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on November 15, 2004

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