If you receive Error 0x80070522, A Required Privilege Is Not Held By The Client message when creating a new file in the File Explorer of Windows 10/8/7, here are some possible solutions that might be helpful for you. This error mainly occurs out of nowhere while creating or modifying a file in File Explorer. The complete error message looks like this-
An unexpected error is keeping you from creating the file. If you continue to receive this error, you can use the error code to search for help with this problem. Error 0x80070522: A required privilege is not held by the client.
This error message may occur when you try to copy, add, or modify a file in a directory or folder with no admin privileges or sufficient permissions. For example, if you try to create or edit a file in a system folder (like System32 or SysWOW64) or root folder of your Windows OS, you may get this error. Though the error message is for security purposes which is an indication that you shouldn’t modify, copy, or add a file to that directory, you can solve this problem if it is safe to add or copy a file to the required folder.
Error 0x80070522, A required privilege is not held by the client
Before you begin, create a system restore point first. You may open the file, eg a Word or a Notepad file, by right-clicking on its icon and selecting Run as administrator. After you complete your work, save it and see if it gets saved. If not, then read on.
1] Use Registry Editor
Press Win + R, type regedit and hit the Enter button to open Registry Editor. Following that, navigate to the following path-
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
On your right-hand side, you should find a DWORD (32-bit) Value called EnableLUA.
If you cannot find it on your right-hand side under the System folder, you need to create it manually. For that, make sure the System folder is selected and go to the right side, right-click on space, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Then, name it as EnableLUA.
Now, you need to set its value to 0.
Now check whether you can create a new file or not.
2] Use Local Security Policy
Sometimes it happens because of some admin account conflicts. In this case, you need to open Local Security Policy window. You can either search for the same in the Taskbar search box or Cortana, or you can press Win + R, type secpol.msc and hit the Enter button.
Navigate to Local Policies > Security Options. Locate User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode option on your right-hand side.
This policy setting controls the behavior of all User Account Control (UAC) policy settings for the computer. If you change this policy setting, you must restart your computer. The options are [1] Enabled: (Default) Admin Approval Mode is enabled. This policy must be enabled and related UAC policy settings must also be set appropriately to allow the built-in Administrator account and all other users who are members of the Administrators group to run in Admin Approval Mode. [2] Disabled: Admin Approval Mode and all related UAC policy settings are disabled. Note: If this policy setting is disabled, the Security Center notifies you that the overall security of the operating system has been reduced.
By default, it should be set to Enabled. You need to select Disabled and save your change.
3] Disable UAC
UAC or User Account Control prevents programs from making any change in the system. However, sometimes it can create a problem as well. Therefore, you can temporarily try disabling UAC and check whether it works or not. To disable User Account Control in Windows, search for User Account Control Settings in the Taskbar search box. You should find a window like this-
Here you have to toggle the bar to the bottom and hit the OK button. After that, check if you can modify or create a new file in the same location or not.
Remember to turn it on later.
There is one more way to do this. You can use the CMD window to disable the UAC on your Windows 11/10 system to solve A required privilege is not held by the client error. For this, open Command Prompt as administrator and execute the following command:
reg.exe ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v EnableLUA /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
This command sets the Value data of EnableLUA DWORD value to 0 which disables the User Account Control. You need to restart the computer to successfully apply the changes.
4] Change security of a Partition/drive
Let’s assume that you receive the error message in the system drive or C drive. In that case, open This PC, right-click on the C drive, and select Properties. Then, switch to Security tab, and click on the Edit button under Group or user names box. Next, select the user account that you are currently using and make sure the Full control checkbox is selected. If not, choose that option and save your change.
5] Use an administrator account
If you have already enabled the hidden administrator account, you can switch to that account and check whether you can copy/paste/modify/create a file in that same location or not. If yes, you can convert your standard user account to an administrator account. For doing this press Win + I to open Windows Settings and go to Accounts > Family & other people. You should see the account on your right-hand side under the Other people tag. Click on that account name and Change account type button. Next, select Administrator from the drop-down menu.
Now, restart your computer and check if it has resolved the issue.
Hope our suggestions help you.
