What is ‘An error occurred applying attributes to the file’ error in Windows 10?
If you are facing ‘An error occurred applying attributes to the file’ error while trying to open certain files hosted locally or on shared domain in your Windows 10 computer, then you are in right place for the solution. In this post, you will be guided with easy steps/methods to resolve the issue. Let’s starts the discussion.
‘An error occurred applying attributes to the file’ error: It is common Windows problem usually occurred with files hosted locally or on Shared Domain in your Windows 10 computer. This error is appeared when you try to open a file hosted locally or on shared domain. The error message is appeared with path of the file that you are trying to launch and says ‘Element not found’ or ‘Access Denied’ error.
There could be several reasons behind this issue including file/folder ownership issue. If the file/folder is not owned by active user or user account you logged-in into Windows 10 computer, then it might possible to get this error. You can take ownership of file/folder that is causing the error, in order to resolve the issue.
This error can also be appeared due to required permissions not given to the file/folder you are trying to open. You can configure permissions of file/folder and provide all necessary permissions in order to fix the issue. Also, this error can be occurred if the file is encrypted. If you are trying to open the file that you downloaded from email or from internet, it might possible file is encrypted and you need to ask the owner of the file to share encryption certificate so you can open the file without any issue.
Another possible reason behind this error can be corrupted system files in your Windows 10 computer. You can run SFC Scan tool in Windows computer in order to resolve the issue. It is possible to resolve this error with our instructions. Let’s go for the solution.
How to fix An error occurred applying attributes to the file error in Windows 10?
Method 1: Fix ‘An error occurred applying attributes to the file’ error with ‘PC Repair Tool’
‘PC Repair Tool’ is easy & quick way to find and fix BSOD errors, EXE errors, DLL errors, problems with programs/applications, malware or viruses issues, system files or registry issues, and other system issues with just few clicks. You can get this tool through button/link below.
Method 2: Take ownership of the file
If active user or user account you logged-in into Windows computer is not allowed to open certain file or the file required to opened by owner of the file, then you can take ownership of the file/folder that causing error, in order to fix the issue.
Step 1: Open ‘File Explorer’ and navigate to the file/folder that you are trying to open but causing error
Step 2: Right-click on it and select ‘Properties’. In ‘Properties’ window, click on ‘Security’ tab and click on ‘Advanced’ button under ‘Permission for’ section
Step 3: In the opened ‘Advanced Security Settings’ window of the file, locate the owner section at top and click on ‘Change’ link
Step 4: In the opened ‘Select User or Group’ window, type ‘Everyone’ inside ‘Enter the object name to select’ field and click on ‘Check Names’ button to validate the ‘Everyone’ category
Step 5: Now, click on ‘Ok’ on ‘Select User or Group’ window, click on ‘Apply’ and ‘Ok’ on ‘Advanced Security Settings’ window and on ‘Properties’ window of the file to save the changes.
Step 6: Once done, retry opening the file that was causing error and check if error is resolved.
Method 3: Provide all necessary permissions to the file in Windows 10
This error can be occurred if you haven’t provided all necessary permissions to the file that is causing error. You can provide all necessary permissions to file in order to fix the issue.
Step 1: Open ‘File Explorer’ and navigate to the file that is causing error
Step 2: Right-click on the file and select ‘Properties’. In ‘Properties’ window, click on ‘Security’ tab and select ‘Administrative Group’ from box under ‘Group or User names’ and then hit ‘Edit’ button
Step 3: Now in the opened ‘Permissions’ window for the file, go to ‘Permissions for file’ section, and select ‘Full Control’ checkbox to check and then hit ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’ to save the changes. Click ‘Yes’ button if asked for confirmation.
Step 4: Once done, check if you can open the file without any issue.
Method 4: Check if the file is encrypted
This error can also be occurred if the file is encrypted. It might possible that you have downloaded the file from email or from internet and is encrypted. In such case, you can contact the owner of the file and ask them to send encryption certificate so you can open encrypted file.
Check if the file is encrypted or not:
Step 1: Open ‘File Explorer’ and navigate the file that you are trying to open
Step 2: Right-click on the file and select ‘Properties’. In ‘Properties’ window, click on ‘General’ tab and click on ‘Advanced’ button associated with ‘Attributes’ section
Step 3: In the opened ‘Advanced Attributes’ window, deselect ‘Encrypt contents to secure data’ checkbox under ‘Compress or Encrypt Attributes’ section if checked
Step 4: Click on ‘OK’ to save the changes. If your investigation reveals that the file is encrypted, then you can contact the file owner to share encryption certificate so you can install it in your device and open the file.
Method 5: Run SFC Scan tool in Windows 10
Corrupted system files in Windows 10 computer could be reason behind this type of error. You can repair system files with SFC scan tool in order to fix the issue.
Step 1: Press ‘Windows + X’ keys on keyboard and select ‘Command Prompt as Administrator’
Step 2: Type ‘sfc /scannow’ command and hit ‘Enter’ key to execute.
Step 3: Once done, restart your computer and check if the error is resolved.
Method 6: Perform Windows 10 Repair or clean install
If the error is still persist, then you can try to fix the issue by performing Windows 10 reset/repair or clean Windows 10 installation. This way, you can resolve any issue in computer and restore your computer to original default. But before that, you should make sure you have strong backup of your all personal files on some safe storage media that could help you to restore all personal files or data after Windows 10 reset/repair or clean Windows 10 installation.
Conclusion
I am sure this post helped you on How to fix An error occurred applying attributes to the file error in Windows 10 with several easy steps/methods. You can read & follow our instructions to do so. That’s all. For any suggestions or queries, please write on comment box below.
