Problems While Writing To Hard Disk In Windows Vista

One of the following error messages may be displayed when you attempt to save a file to the hard disk or to a flash device in Windows Vista:

"X:\Folder\FileName You don't have permission to save in this location. Contact the administrator to obtain permission. Would you like to save in the Documents folder instead?"

"Access to X:\Folder\FileName was denied."

Cause of the Error

This error message is displayed if the hard disk or the flash drive you are trying to save to is formatted in an earlier version of the Windows NTFS file system. For instance, you may face this problem if you have formatted the disk drive or device from the Microsoft Windows XP operating system.

Resolution Method

You can resolve this problem by formatting the hard drive or flash device in Windows Vista. To format the hard drive or flash device, follow the steps given below:

  1. Make a back up of all your data on the hard drive or on the flash device to another location. We recommend you do this to make sure that you do not lose any important data.
  2. Go to Start | click My Computer | select the drive or the device that needs to be formatted | and then choose Format. In case you are asked for a password or for a confirmation, type the password.
  3. Choose the NTFS file system. This is the default file system that will appear in the drop down menu under File System.
  4. Select the Quick Format option by clicking on the check box that appears before it under Format Options.
  5. Click the Start button.
  6. Close the Format Local disk dialog box once the formatting is complete.

In case you are unable to format the hard drive or the flash device in Windows Vista, you can resolve the issue by following one of the methods given below:

Method 1: Launch the application from which you saved the file as an administrator

  1. In the Start menu, right click the shortcut that starts the application and then select Run as Administrator to launch the program.
  2. In case the Run as Administrator option is not visible, then follow the steps listed below:
    1. Right click the application shortcut and then select Properties.
    2. On the Shortcut tab choose Open File Location.
    3. Right click the executable file for the application and then select Run as Administrator to launch the program.

    3. Note: You usually need to locate the executables to run as administrator for those programs that are installed using the .msi package. For example, to run a Microsoft Office program as an administrator, you will first need to locate the executable and then run it as an administrator as explained above.

  3. Finally, save the file to your hard disk or flash drive.

Method 2: Save your file in the Documents folder first and then move the file to the hard disk or flash drive later

  1. From your program save the file in the Documents folder.
  2. Next, cut/paste or copy/paste the file to your hard disk or flash drive.
  3. Provide administrator password if prompted.