Error when trying to play audio files: Windows Media Player cannot access the file. The file might be in use, you might not have access to the computer where the file is stored

Anonymous

Windows Media Player cannot access the file. The file might be in use, you might not have access to the computer where the file is stored, or your proxy settings might not be correct.

Hope someone can help on Win 7 64 bit, music is sored on an external usb2 Hard drive.... I've had no issues until today when the message in the title appeared next to each track, together with a little red X.

I've already deleted the library database as suggested in some of the forums, also disabled Media as a Win 7 feature rebooted and then re-activated it. I've also unplugged the external and rebooted that as well, I'm also getting the same error with a cd in the cd drive as well.

Can anyone help?

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Anonymous

Hi,

You may get this error for any of the following reasons:

The file is currently in use. Close the file, and then try again.

You do not have permission to access the location where the file is stored.

Follow these steps to grant full permissions to the folder where the files are stored:

Right click on the folder on the external drive and click on properties.
On the property window, click Security tab.

3. Now click on Edit and then click Add.

4. Now type everyone in the box and click OK.

5. Then check Full control check box.

6. Click on Apply and then click OK.

You may also try the below mentioned steps:

Click on Start.
Go to Control Panel.
Select "SOUND".
Double click on speakers.
Click on advanced tab and then uncheck enable audio enhancements.

Regards,

Afzal-Microsoft Support.

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53 additional answers

Anonymous

2015-07-11T04:22:00+00:00

Hi

I contacted Microsoft as my WMP suggested " Web Help" !! A survey page appeared...and asked me why the site was not helpful and recommended that I contact " Answer Desk " ! The guy at " Answer Desk " was elegant and nice. He E mailed me and promised that I will find the solution here ! He was totally right. I found Afza-Microsoft Support who finally solved the issue. I feel so cool my Vids are back . :)
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Anonymous

2016-03-11T21:04:14+00:00

Thank you for this answer Afzal. Your second solution fixed my system.

I now have another question:

In the name of f*****why doesn't the error message mention this in the list of possible causes? I think this is utterly unforgiveable and another example of how badly finished Microsoft software is. Somebody needs to put their foot down and actually say NO! This is not good enough!

Not your fault dude but I am totally fed up with having my time wasted by inaccurate error messages from Windows.

Cheers,

Ran Davies
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Anonymous

2016-04-11T12:23:36+00:00

Hi Afzal,

I have tried your suggestion - and yes the first one does work on item level. Only we are talking about 260 folders with several subfolders each etc. If I change permission on every item individually it will take me weeks. It does not work on folder level. And it seems only to apply to the music folder, as all the other folders/files on my external harddrive are working as usual. Any other suggestions?????

Thank you.
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Anonymous

2016-04-14T20:19:49+00:00

Henrietta: please try the instructions in this answer to recursively set folder permissions. Does that help?
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