In this article, we will explain what causes this error and how to fix it with four possible solutions. We will also provide some tips on how to avoid this error in the future.
What Causes Rufus Error "Access to the Device Is Denied"?
There are several possible reasons why Rufus may show the error "Access to the device is denied" when you try to create a bootable USB drive. Some of the common causes are:
Controlled folder access: This is a feature of Windows Defender that protects your files and folders from unauthorized changes by malicious programs. However, it may also block Rufus from accessing your USB drive, especially if you have enabled it manually or through a group policy.
Lack of administrator privileges: Rufus requires administrator privileges to write to your USB drive. If you run Rufus without administrator rights, it may not be able to access your USB drive and show the error.
Corrupted or incompatible USB drive: Your USB drive may be corrupted or damaged due to various reasons, such as improper removal, virus infection, bad sectors, etc. This may make your USB drive unreadable or unwritable by Rufus. Alternatively, your USB drive may not be compatible with Rufus or the ISO file you are using. For example, some USB drives may not support GPT partition scheme or FAT32 file system.
Faulty or occupied USB port: The USB port you are using to connect your USB drive may be faulty or occupied by another device. This may prevent Rufus from detecting or accessing your USB drive properly.
Interference from other programs: Some programs may interfere with Rufus and cause the error. For example, some antivirus or security software may block Rufus from accessing your USB drive. Some disk management or partition tools may lock your USB drive and prevent Rufus from writing to it.
How to Fix Rufus Error "Access to the Device Is Denied"?
Depending on the cause of the error, there are different ways to fix it. Here are four possible solutions that you can try:
Solution 1: Disable Controlled Folder Access
If you have enabled controlled folder access in Windows Defender, you should disable it temporarily while using Rufus. To do this, follow these steps:
Open Windows Settings by pressing Windows + I keys.
Click on Update & Security and then on Windows Security.
Click on Virus & threat protection and then on Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings.
Scroll down and click on Manage Controlled folder access under Ransomware protection.
Turn off the switch for Controlled folder access.
Alternatively, you can add Rufus as an allowed app in controlled folder access. To do this, follow these steps:
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Follow steps 1-4 above.
Click on Allow an app through Controlled folder access under Controlled folder access.
Click on Add an allowed app and then on Browse all apps.
Navigate to the location where you have installed Rufus and select its executable file (rufus.exe).
Click on Open and then on OK.
After disabling controlled folder access or adding Rufus as an allowed app, try to create a bootable USB drive with Rufus again and see if the error is gone.
Solution 2: Run Rufus as Administrator
If you have not run Rufus as administrator, you should do so to give it the necessary permissions to access your USB drive. To do this, follow these steps:
Right-click on the Rufus icon and select Run as administrator.
Click on Yes if prompted by User Account Control (UAC).
Proceed to create a bootable USB drive with Rufus as usual.
Running Rufus as administrator may solve the error if it was caused by lack of administrator privileges.
Solution 3: Check and Format Your USB Drive
If your USB drive is corrupted or incompatible, you should check and format it before using Rufus. To do this, follow these steps:
Connect your USB drive to your computer and open File Explorer.
Right-click on your USB drive and select Properties.
Click on the Tools tab and then on Check under Error checking.
Click on Scan and repair drive and follow the instructions to fix any errors on your USB drive.
After the scan and repair process is completed, right-click on your USB drive again and select Format.
Select the file system, allocation unit size, and volume label according to the requirements of Rufus and the ISO file you are using. For example, if you are using a Windows 11 or 10 ISO file, you should select FAT32 as the file system, Default as the allocation unit size, and any name as the volume label.
Check the box for Quick Format and click on Start.
Click on OK to confirm the format operation and wait for it to finish.
Checking and formatting your USB drive may solve the error if it was caused by a corrupted or incompatible USB drive.
Solution 4: Change or Check Your USB Port
If your USB port is faulty or occupied, you should change or check it before using Rufus. To do this, follow these steps:
Disconnect your USB drive from your computer and connect it to another USB port. Preferably, use a USB port that is directly connected to the motherboard, such as the ones at the back of your computer case.
If you have any other devices connected to the same USB port or hub, disconnect them as well. This will prevent any conflicts or interference from other devices.
If changing the USB port does not work, try connecting your USB drive to another computer and see if it works there. If it does, then the problem is with your original computer's USB port. You may need to update or reinstall your USB drivers, clean or replace your USB port, or contact a professional for help.
Changing or checking your USB port may solve the error if it was caused by a faulty or occupied USB port.
Tips to Avoid Rufus Error "Access to the Device Is Denied"
To avoid encountering this error in the future, you can follow these tips:
Always run Rufus as administrator to ensure that it has enough permissions to access your USB drive.
Always disable controlled folder access or add Rufus as an allowed app in Windows Defender before using Rufus.
Always use a reliable and compatible USB drive that meets the requirements of Rufus and the ISO file you are using.
Always use a working and unoccupied USB port that is directly connected to the motherboard.
Always close any other programs that may interfere with Rufus, such as antivirus or security software, disk management or partition tools, etc.
Conclusion
Rufus is a great tool that can help you create bootable USB drives from ISO files. However, sometimes it may show an error that says "Access to the device is denied" when you try to write to your USB drive. This error can be caused by various reasons, such as controlled folder access, lack of administrator privileges, corrupted or incompatible USB drive, faulty or occupied USB port, interference from other programs, etc. To fix this error, you can try one of the four solutions we have provided in this article: disable controlled folder access, run Rufus as administrator, check and format your USB drive, change or check your USB port. You can also follow some tips to avoid this error in the future. We hope that this article has helped you solve your Rufus error "Access to the device is denied" and create a bootable USB drive successfully. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please let us know. Thank you for using Bing. ? the article is already complete. There is no need to continue writing it. Do you have any other questions or requests? ?
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