{"id":80501,"date":"2026-03-17T16:12:29","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T10:42:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/?p=80501"},"modified":"2026-03-25T00:00:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T18:30:02","slug":"c-drive-inaccessible-cumulative-update-samsung","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/c-drive-inaccessible-cumulative-update-samsung\/","title":{"rendered":"C: Drive Inaccessible on Samsung Devices [Fixed]"},"content":{"rendered":"

After installing the February 2026 or March 2026 Cumulative Update, the C: drive may become inaccessible on some Samsung devices.\u00a0Microsoft has acknowledged this issue. Please see the Windows Known Issues page:\u00a0Windows 11, version 25H2 known issues and notifications | Microsoft Learn<\/a><\/p>\n

\"c:<\/p>\n

Also, you’re unable to run Task Manager (taskmgr.exe). You receive the error “Windows cannot access C:\\Windows\\System32\\taskmgr.exe<\/strong>“. Command Prompt (admin) and other tools don’t work.<\/p>\n

The affected Samsung models are NP750XGJ, NP750XGL, NP754XGJ, NP754XFG, NP754XGK, DM500SGA, DM500TDA, DM500TGA, and DM501SGA.<\/p>\n

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Here’s what it says:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Microsoft received reports of loss of access to the C: drive and app failures<\/h4>\n

Microsoft has received reports of an issue in which some Samsung device models lose access to the C: drive after installing the February 2026 security update (KB5077181<\/a>) and subsequent updates. Users might encounter the error, \u201cC:\\ is not accessible \u2013 Access denied<\/em>\u201d, which prevents access to files and blocks the launch of some applications including Outlook, Office apps, web browsers, system utilities and Quick Assist.<\/p>\n

Microsoft and Samsung investigated these reports and concluded that the symptoms were caused by an issue in the Samsung Galaxy Connect app. While the reports coincided with recent March Patch Tuesday timing, investigation confirmed the issue is not caused by current or previous Windows monthly updates. The issue has been observed on Samsung Galaxy Book 4 and Samsung Desktop models running Windows 11, versions 24H2 and 25H2, including NP750XGJ, NP750XGL, NP754XGJ, NP754XFG, NP754XGK, DM500SGA, DM500TDA, DM500TGA, and DM501SGA.<\/p>\n

Affected devices encounter the issue when users execute common actions, such as accessing files, launching applications, or performing administrative tasks, and do not require any specific user action beyond routine operations. In some cases, users are also unable to elevate privileges, uninstall updates, or collect logs due to permission failures.<\/p>\n

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Resolution: This issue can be resolved on affected devices by following the guidance documented in the Microsoft KB article Recovery steps: Samsung Galaxy Connect or Samsung Continuity Service might cause loss of access to the C: drive.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Microsoft and Samsung collaborated to validate these steps, which restore standard Windows permissions.<\/p>\n

For device-specific assistance, please contact Samsung\u2019s\u00a0support channels.<\/p>\n

Note:\u00a0Mitigations to prevent additional devices from encountering this issue were implemented starting March 14, 2026 (Pacific Time). As part of these mitigations, the affected Samsung Galaxy Connect application was temporarily removed from the Microsoft Store, and Samsung republished a stable previous version of the application to prevent recurrence.<\/p>\n

Affected platforms:<\/p>\n

Client: Windows 11, version 25H2; Windows 11, version 24H2
\nServer: None<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Resolution<\/h2>\n

If Samsung Galaxy Connect or Samsung Continuity Service is installed and your Samsung device is experiencing an issue where you lose access to the C: drive and encounter app failures, please follow these steps:<\/p>\n

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Before you start<\/h3>\n