Fix “Failed to Enumerate Objects in the Container” Error in Windows 10

Just experienced “Failed to enumerate objects in the container. Access is denied” Error in your Windows 10?

Worry not, I have working solutions for that along with proof’s that the methods mentioned in this tutorial work. (See Proof section)

Before we get into the causes of the error and number of solutions, let me show you something very interesting…

The above-embedded google trends data clearly illustrates how many people in the United States, searching google for terms like

• Failed to enumerate objects in the container
• Failed to enumerate objects in the container access is denied

And among these two queries, the first one is often searched more on google…

• Query “Failed to enumerate objects in the container” averages above 30
• Query “Failed to enumerate objects in the container access is denied” averages below 30

Note: I have just embedded this data in order to relax you and let you know that this is a common issue that many Windows 10 users face.

Anyways, today in this tutorial, your different queries like:

1. How do I fix failed to enumerate objects in the container access is denied?

2. Failed to enumerate objects in the container access is denied Windows 10

3. Windows 10 failed to enumerate objects in the container access is denied

4. And many more related queries will be solved!

Even though I know that you are here for the solutions, not the cause? Right?

But for the sake of this tutorial, I have to mention at least a few causes so that you can know the reason behind the failure to enumerate objects in the container.

So, let’s roll in…

Overview & Causes of this Error

In Windows 10, there’s a great feature available for files and folders.

The folder permissions enable us to keep any and everything saved in a particular folder either private or available to all i.e public.. 

This is a very handy feature if you have super-important (work data) and sensitive files (moments captured with GF or porn videos 😜) that should not be accessed by anyone but only you.

However, when you try to change permissions for that super important folder, there are instances when the failure to enumerate objects in the container error shows up.

The ordinary cause of this error is that you don’t have the permissions to change anything in the folder because the ownership belongs to some other account.

If you don’t have Admin rights, you will not be able to change anything on the folder or file. 

Another reason is that there may be some incorrect settings on the folder that were configured without your permission.

But don’t worry, it can be easily fixed. So let’s fix the error…

Don’t Miss: 21+ Awesome Windows 10 Tips & Tricks

How to Fix Failed to Enumerate Objects in the Container Error?

Thankfully, we have some proven solutions to fix this issue, but are they easy?

Yes!

The methods demonstrated below are pretty easy and can be implemented quickly.

Just some basic tweaks in Windows settings, and you will be all set to assign user permissions to a folder you want access to.

Before I start, here’s something to remember…

If the first method doesn’t work for you, try the second one and so on but make sure to try all the methods so that you can fix the error.

Method 1: Change the Ownership of the File or Folder

This is the best and only method suggested by Microsoft as well as some Windows experts. That’s the reason we should try this method first.

Some Windows Users who tried this method of changing folder ownership commented (on some forums and other sites) that it solves the Failed to Enumerate Objects in the Container. Access is denied error like magic. (I have attached some snapshots at the end of this tutorial in the Proof Section, make sure to check them out)

So, here are the steps to change folder ownership in Windows 10:

1. Make a right-click on the folder for which you are getting “Failed to Enumerate Objects in the Container. Access is denied” error while changing user permissions.

2. From the right-click menu, select the last option i.e Properties option.

3. Here a pop-up window will appear with multiple tabs. Here navigate to the Security section and click on the Advanced button.

4. Now simply click on the Change link next to the current owner of the file or folder

5. Here, you need to enter your Windows account’s username (if you remember) through which you log in. Simply enter your username in the Enter the object name to select box, then click on Check Names button to quickly find your correct username. If you don’t know then follow step 6.

6. Click on the Advanced button located at the bottom-left side.

7. When you click on the advanced option, another window will pop up, here, you need to click on Find Now option, it will populate some options on the same screen.

8. Now simply select the desired user account from the list in the search results & then Click OK as shown in the below image.

9. Once you select your user account & Click OK it will take you back to the previous screen, Click Ok and then it will return to the Advanced Security Settings window.

10. Now in the Advanced Security Setting window, you just need to Checkmark
    1. “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects” and
    2. “Replace all child object permissions entries with inheritable permission entries from this object”

Once done, just click Apply followed by the OK button.

Click on the Yes button if the additional Windows Security Window Popped Up.

Finally, we succeeded with this long process & just “Fixed Failed To Enumerate Objects In The Container Error. Access is Denied” Error.

Now, you are authorized to change the user permission of any of the folders or files of your choice 😎

However, now you need to start by changing the permission of a folder to check whether the problem is actually solved or not.

So, let’s check it…

Don’t Miss: 21+ Awesome Windows 10 Tips & Tricks

11. Again Right-click on the file or folder, select Properties, switch to the Security tab and then click on the Advanced button.

12. Once the “Permission Entry” window appears, click on the Add button.

13. Now click on “Select a principal” and select your account.

14. Now simply write Everyone and Click on Check names and then click on OK.

The users following this step 14 don’t need to follow further steps.

15. If you want to allow access to one account, again follow the same steps from 4 to 9 & then select the desired user account.

16. Now, Set the permissions to “Full control” and then click OK.

17. Again Checkmark “Replace all existing inheritable permissions….object” in the Advanced Security Settings window.

18. Now simply click on Apply followed by OK.

That’s it, just 18 steps needed to solve this error 😜

You just changed the ownership and got full access to the files and folders in your Windows 10. Now you won’t get this Failed To Enumerate Objects In The Container Error.

Don’t Miss: 21+ Awesome Windows 10 Tips & Tricks

Method 2: “Suppress Warnings” If you Can’t Change Ownership to fix Failed to Enumerate Objects in the Container error

Ideally, by following the above-mentioned 18 steps, you should be able to change the ownership of the file or folder.

But What if you follow all the above steps carefully but still you can’t Change the Ownership?

You would generally say, WTF Kevin? Your method doesn’t work…

No need to get frustrated. We can simply Suppress the Warnings…

If you are not able to change the ownership, then you should check on the User Account Control (UAC) settings and change it to “Never Notify” to disable such settings.

So, let’s do it…

1. Open the Start menu, and in the Start search bar, type UAC or User Account Control Settings. Or else Press Windows + S and search for “User Account Control Setting” and launch it.

2. Here, you will see a slider. Simply drag the slider all the way down to “Never notify”.

3. Click on the Ok button. If prompted by a dialogue box for permission, click Yes.

4. Now, just Reboot your system and again try to change the ownership of the file or folder using Method no 1. (Again 18 steps 😜)

Hopefully, by adopting these 2 Methods you will surely be able to make the permission changes of your super-important folder or file.

Most of the Experts recommend these 2 methods which work for most of the users but for some, they don’t work, so you can try out this another working amazing method…

Method 3: Using Takeown Command in Elevated Command Prompt (CMD)

1. Open the Start menu, and in the Start search bar, type CMD.

2. Right-click on the Command prompt and run as administrator.

3. Once you are in the CMD, simply Copy and paste the Commands provided below in the command prompt window and execute the commands one by one.
   1. takeown /F X:\FULL_PATH_TO_FOLDER
   2. takeown /F X:\FULL_PATH_TO_FOLDER /r /d y
   3. icacls X:\FULL_PATH_TO_FOLDER /grant Administrators:Ficacls
   4. X:\FULL_PATH_TO_FOLDER /grant Administrators:F /t

Note: Make sure to change FULL_PATH_TO_FOLDER  with the path of the folder you want access to.

If you find it difficult then here’s some explanation that you can refer to.

Proof that Methods Work

You may question or doubt: Do these methods work?

The answer is a Big Yes! Here’s a proof…

In the above-attached snapshot, you can clearly see that the method one didn’t do anything for users with username TGBDaily, DT, Sleazism.

But user Surio applied method 2 i.e he disabled the UAC and then he was able to solve his error. So you can too!

If still, you’re getting the Failed to Enumerate Objects in the Container error while changing folder permissions? Then restart your PC in Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking and repeating the Method no 1 will definitely solve your problem.

Don’t believe me, here’s another proof…

Mogan did the same and got the results. So you can!

All you need to do is to follow the steps carefully and apply them with patience.

The Method No.3 was the idea of Micah, I appreciate him for posting such a useful comment. Have a look…

Here’s what Bryan says about method 3…

The only reason I have attached the proof is that I want you to at least try the above mentioned 3 methods rather than just scrolling and leaving the site.

Final Words

The Conclusion is that the methods provided above work!

I would be glad to see such comments on this tutorial…

Just apply the methods and let everyone know what works and what doesn’t. 

It doesn’t matter positive or negative, I just love comments.

One last thing that I want to disclose is:

Note: The only thing you need to keep in mind while changing the permission of the folder or file is that it will make your PC a bit “less secure”. Therefore, you need to be very clear while performing these tasks on your Windows 10 device.

Well, that seemed like a warning, isn’t it?

Anyways, I hope by the end of this tutorial your queries like:

• How do I fix failed to enumerate objects in the container access is denied?
• Failed to enumerate objects in the container access is denied Windows 10
• Windows 10 failed to enumerate objects in the container access is denied
• And many more related queries should have been solved!

As of now, April 2020, these are the only solutions that you’ll find on most of the Tech sites as they are the only known and working methods.

So, whenever I come across new working methods, I’ll share it with TechStudio readers and also notify you in the mailbox. (I hope you are)

If you haven’t yet subscribed to TechStudio’s mailing list, then scroll down to the bottom of the page (in the footer) & just let me know your good name and working email so that I can mail you the solutions whenever available…

Lastly, I would request that If any method worked for any of you, please let me know in the comments and if you have some more methods then they are also welcome…

FAQ’s

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