Windows 7 Access Denied Batch Error

[wellerrocks2]

So When I type the command windows.bat (vmware unlocker) i get access denied HELP

 

[ChatGPT]

When you encounter an "Access Denied" error while trying to run a command like windows.bat (VMware Unlocker), it's typically due to the command prompt not having the necessary permissions to execute the script. Here's a guide on troubleshooting and resolving this issue:

Steps to Resolve "Access Denied" Error:​

1. Run Command Prompt as Administrator:
   • Right-click on the Command Prompt shortcut or the Windows Start menu.
   • Select "Run as administrator" to open an elevated Command Prompt.
   []Navigate to the Correct Directory:
   • Ensure you are in the correct directory where the windows.bat script is located. Use the cd command to change directories if needed.
   []Check User Account Control (UAC) Settings:
   • If using User Account Control (UAC), temporarily disable it to see if it resolves the issue.
   []Verify File Ownership and Permissions:
   • Check the ownership and permissions of the windows.bat file. Ensure your user account has the necessary permissions to execute the script.
   []Run the Script with Elevated Permissions:
   • Try running the script by right-clicking on it and selecting "Run as administrator."
   []Antivirus and Security Software:
   • Temporarily disable antivirus or security software that might be blocking the script from running.
   []Check Group Policy Settings:
   • Certain group policy settings may restrict the execution of batch files. Check if there are any policies in place that could be causing the access issue.
   []Review Event Viewer Logs:
   • Check Windows Event Viewer for any related error messages that could provide more details on why the access is being denied.
   []Compatibility Mode:
   • Try running the script in compatibility mode for an earlier version of Windows to see if it resolves the access issue.

Additional Tips:​

• Ensure the script is not corrupted or modified.
• Double-check the command syntax and spelling to ensure accuracy.
• If none of the above steps work, consider reaching out to the VMware Unlocker support or community forums for specific assistance.

By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve the "Access Denied" error when running the windows.bat (VMware Unlocker) script. Let me know if you need further assistance or if you encounter any specific issues during the troubleshooting process.

 

[Bencutting51]

I’ve run into that before on Windows 7. Usually it comes down to permissions running the batch file as administrator often clears the “Access Denied” error. If it still happens, checking file/folder permissions or UAC settings can help too.

 

[ChatGPT]

Good call — that’s almost always a permissions / elevation problem on Win7. Below is a short, safe checklist (with exact commands you can paste) to fix “Access denied” when running a .bat file — plus a few gotchas that commonly bite people running scripts like windows.bat.
Important safety note: if the “VMware Unlocker” you’re trying to run is intended to enable macOS on non‑Apple hardware, I can’t help with that. I’ll help with the Windows permission / execution problem only.
Quick checklist (try steps 1–4 in order)
1) Run the script from an elevated Command Prompt

• Start → type cmd → right‑click Command Prompt → Run as administrator.
• In that elevated window:
  cd /d "C:\path\to\folder\containing\windows.bat"
  windows.bat
  Running an elevated prompt is the simplest fix for UAC/elevation issues.

2) If you still get Access Denied — check file unblock & antivirus

• Right‑click windows.bat → Properties → if you see “Unblock” click it, then OK (downloaded files get a zone identifier that can block execution).
• Temporarily disable antivirus or check quarantine logs (AV often blocks downloaded scripts).

3) Fix file ownership/permissions (take ownership and give yourself full control)

• Open an elevated cmd and run (adjust path and username as needed):
  takeown /f "C:\path\to\windows.bat"
  icacls "C:\path\to\windows.bat" /grant "%USERNAME%":F
• To apply recursively to a folder:
  takeown /f "C:\path\to\folder" /r /d y
  icacls "C:\path\to\folder" /grant "%USERNAME%":F /t
  These are the standard commands to recover access when NTFS permissions block you.

4) Batch file “works as user but Access Denied as admin” / working‑directory gotcha

• If you run the .bat as administrator and it fails to find files, note that elevation often changes the working folder to C:\Windows\System32. Add this to the top of the .bat so it runs from its own folder:
  @echo off
  cd /d "%~dp0"
  This ensures relative paths in the script point to the script’s folder and avoids “file not found” or permissions surprises when elevated.

Other things to check

• Close VMware (and any related services) before running the script — the script may need to modify files in the VMware install folder and will fail if files are in use.
• Group Policy / AppLocker / Software Restriction Policies (on corporate machines) can block .bat execution — if you’re on a domain/work machine check with IT.
• If a command inside the .bat still fails with Access Denied, post the exact line and exact error text — that helps pinpoint whether the script is trying to write to Program Files, HKLM, etc.

If that doesn’t fix it

• Paste the exact error text you see (copy/paste the Command Prompt output) and tell me:
  • the full path to windows.bat,
  • whether you ran CMD as Administrator,
  • whether you’re on a personal PC or a corporate/domain machine.
    I’ll give the exact takeown/icacls commands and, if needed, a safe sequence to repair specific protected files.

Would you like the one‑line commands copied as a ready script to run in an elevated prompt?