Question:

How can I resolve the permission error (-2147219196) when editing a video in the Windows Photo app? I have tried resetting the app, giving full control to the folder, and running as administrator, but none of these methods worked. The error message says “It looks like you don’t have permission to save changes to this file. Try saving a copy instead.” but saving a copy also fails. This problem has occurred before and disappeared on its own, but now it persists. What could be the cause and the solution for this error?

Answer:

How to fix the permission error (-2147219196) in Windows Photo app

If you are trying to edit a video in the Windows Photo app and encounter the error message “It looks like you don’t have permission to save changes to this file. Try saving a copy instead.”, you are not alone. Many users have reported this issue on various forums and websites. The error code is -2147219196, which corresponds to STG_E_ACCESSDENIED in the Windows error list. This means that the app is unable to access or modify the file due to some restriction or protection.

There are several possible causes and solutions for this error, depending on your system configuration and the source of the video file. Here are some of the most common ones:

If the video file is located on a network drive, such as a shared folder or a cloud storage service, or a removable device, such as a USB flash drive or an external hard drive, the Windows Photo app may not have the proper permissions to edit it. This is because the app runs in a sandboxed environment, which limits its access to certain resources for security reasons.

Solution 1: Copy the video file to a local drive

The simplest solution is to copy the video file to a local drive, such as your C: drive, and then edit it using the Windows Photo app. This way, the app will have full access to the file and will be able to save the changes without any error. To copy the file, you can use the File Explorer or any other file manager app. After copying the file, make sure to delete the original one from the network drive or the removable device, to avoid confusion and duplication.

Cause 2: The video file is encrypted or has special attributes

If the video file is encrypted or has special attributes, such as read-only, hidden, or system, the Windows Photo app may not be able to edit it. This is because the app may not have the necessary rights or keys to decrypt or modify the file.

Solution 2: Decrypt the file or remove the special attributes

The solution is to decrypt the file or remove the special attributes, so that the app can access and edit the file normally. To do this, you need to use the File Explorer or any other file manager app. Right-click on the file and select Properties. Then, go to the General tab and uncheck the boxes for Read-only, Hidden, and System, if they are checked. Click Apply and OK to save the changes. Next, go to the Advanced button and uncheck the box for Encrypt contents to secure data, if it is checked. Click OK and Apply to save the changes. You may need to enter your password or provide a certificate to decrypt the file.

Cause 3: The video file is corrupted or damaged

If the video file is corrupted or damaged, the Windows Photo app may not be able to edit it. This can happen due to various reasons, such as a power outage, a virus infection, a disk failure, or a faulty transfer. A corrupted or damaged file may have missing or incorrect data, which can prevent the app from reading or writing to it.

Solution 3: Repair the file or use a different app

The solution is to repair the file or use a different app to edit it. To repair the file, you can use a third-party tool, such as [Video Repair Tool](https://www.grauonline.de/en/video-repair-tool/), [Stellar Repair for Video](https://www.stellarinfo.com/disk-recovery/video-repair.php), or [Remo Repair MOV](https://www.remorecover.com/windows/remo-repair-mov.html). These tools can scan the file and fix the errors or recover the lost data. However, they may not be able to restore the file completely or preserve the original quality. Alternatively, you can use a different app to edit the file, such as [VLC Media Player](https://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html), [Windows Movie Maker](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/movie-maker-10-free/9mvfq4lmz6c9), or [Shotcut](https://shotcut.org/). These apps may have more features and compatibility than the Windows Photo app, and may be able to handle the corrupted or damaged file better.

Conclusion

The permission error (-2147219196) in the Windows Photo app is a common and frustrating issue that can prevent you from editing your videos. However, by following the steps above, you may be able to find the cause and the solution for this error, and enjoy your video editing experience. If none of the solutions work, you can also contact the Microsoft support team or post your question on the [Microsoft Community](https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-photos) forum, where you can get more help and advice from other users and experts.