A newly confirmed Home windows 11 bug is locking some customers out of their computer systems.
Microsoft has confirmed that an issue affecting sure Home windows 11 units can stop customers from accessing the primary system drive, generally known as the C: drive, after putting in a latest safety replace.
In a discover printed in its assist documentation, the corporate stated it had obtained a number of stories from customers experiencing a critical entry subject after putting in the February 2026 safety replace. In response to the corporate, affected customers might encounter the error message “C: isn’t accessible – Entry denied.”
Apps and on a regular basis duties blocked
The problem goes past merely blocking File Explorer. Microsoft stated the error can stop many widespread functions and system instruments from launching. The corporate defined that the bug can cease applications resembling Outlook, Workplace apps, net browsers, system utilities, and Fast Help from beginning.
“Customers would possibly encounter the error, ‘C: isn’t accessible – Entry denied’, which prevents entry to information and blocks the launch of some functions together with Outlook, Workplace apps, net browsers, system utilities and Fast Help,” Microsoft famous.
In some circumstances, customers might also be unable to hold out administrative duties and even uninstall updates as a result of permission failures block key system operations. The bug seems to have an effect on a restricted set of Home windows 11 units, primarily Samsung computer systems.
Microsoft stated the issue has been noticed on Samsung Galaxy Guide 4 laptops and sure Samsung desktop fashions operating Home windows 11 variations 24H2 and 25H2. Affected fashions embody programs resembling NP750XGJ, NP750XGL, NP754XGJ, NP754XFG, NP754XGK, DM500SGA, DM500TDA, DM500TGA, and DM501SGA.
The corporate emphasised that the problem isn’t truly brought on by Home windows updates themselves. As an alternative, after investigating the stories with Samsung, Microsoft decided that the issue stems from a Samsung utility.
Microsoft stated the malfunction was linked to the Samsung Galaxy Join software program. In its replace, the corporate defined that the problem happens throughout routine pc exercise and doesn’t require any uncommon actions from customers.
To cut back additional issues, Microsoft has already taken steps to cease the bug from spreading.
App quickly faraway from Microsoft Retailer
As a part of mitigation efforts, Microsoft confirmed that the problematic utility has been pulled from distribution. The corporate acknowledged that starting March 14, 2026, the Galaxy Join app was quickly faraway from the Microsoft Retailer whereas Samsung launched a earlier secure model of the software program.
Microsoft defined that these actions have been meant to stop extra units from encountering the problem.
Restoration steps for affected customers
For customers already impacted, Microsoft Assist has printed detailed restoration directions designed to revive system permissions.
The corporate advises customers to uninstall Samsung Galaxy Join or Samsung Continuity Service, then comply with a collection of steps to restore drive permissions.
In response to Microsoft Assist, the restore course of restores default Home windows entry controls with out affecting private information. The total process includes quickly adjusting permissions on the C: drive and operating a restore script to revive Home windows’ default safety settings.
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