How to fix
STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED error in Microsoft Edge
on Windows

I can't open any websites on Microsoft Edge due to the STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED error. This happened after the latest Edge update. I am running it on Windows 11 if that helps.

The updated Microsoft Edge browser is appreciated by many Windows users for its speed, security, and modern web standards compatibility. However, like any other piece of software, at times users may experience problems while browsing. One frequently observed error has the name of STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED as experienced by Microsoft Edge users.

The STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED error tends to pop up at the time of attempting to access some websites (or in some cases all websites) after a browser or Windows updates have taken place recently. At the time of the error, the user will not be able to browse the web, something that is frustrating and interrupts their workflow if the browsing is also a needed productivity function.

Typically, this STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED error is due to permission conflicts between the browser and operating system itself. After a browser and/or system update, changes may take place regarding specific security settings, file permissions, or group policies which could result in a STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED error.

In particular, digital applications such as Microsoft Edge will pop up the error is the application attempts to access a resource and does not sufficient permissions to do for certain files, or system files, or network configurations. This could also be a result of a user profile becoming corrupted, temporary files having issues accessing, or conflicting security software that prevents Edge from performing as normal.

In order to identify and fix a STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED error, it is important to discover the underlying cause whether it is a file permission issue, a security policy issue, etc. In many instances, this will require restoring browser settings, clearing cache data, or system configurations that need to be revisited to resolve a permission conflict.

However, in more serious cases, an overall inspection of user and/or system policies depending on such as a Windows update that caused the issue, or for example, reinstall Edge itself in severe cases. 

For a comprehensive and automatic resolution of underlying Windows issues that could be contributing to the error, using a trusted [d1] PC repair tool can help fix the problem efficiently.

Fix 1. Clear browsing data

Clearing your browsing data can resolve the STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED error by removing corrupted cookies, cached files, and other temporary data that might be causing permission issues.

• Open Edge and click on three horizontal dots (Settings and more).
• Select Settings and then pick Privacy, search, and services on the left.
• On the right side of the window, scroll down to find the Clear browsing data section.
• Click Choose what to clear.
• Select All time under the time range.
• Pick all the sections and click Clear now.

Fix 2. Reset Microsoft Edge settings

Resetting the browser settings to their default state can resolve any misconfigurations or extensions that may be causing the error.

• Open Edge Settings.
• Scroll down and click on Reset Settings.
• Click Restore settings to their default values.
• Confirm by clicking Reset.

Fix 3. Disable antivirus or firewall temporarily

Sometimes, security software can block Microsoft Edge from accessing certain sites, resulting in this error. Disabling it temporarily can help confirm if the software is causing the issue.

• Disable your antivirus software from its main dashboard, usually accessible via the system tray icon.
• Press Win + S and type "firewall." Select Windows Defender Firewall.
• Click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.
• Select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall for both private and public network settings. Remember to turn these back on after testing.

Fix 4. Modify file permissions

Incorrect file permissions in the system can prevent Edge from accessing certain resources, causing the error. Adjusting these permissions may fix the problem.

• Right-click on the Edge shortcut and select Properties.
• Go to the Security tab.
• Click on Edit to modify permissions.
• Ensure that your user account has Full Control permissions.
• Click Apply and OK.

Fix 5. Create a new user profile

You can copy all your personal files from the old profile later.

• Open Windows Settings.
• Go to Accounts then Family/Family & other users.
• Under Other users, click Add account/Add someone else to this PC.
• Follow the prompts to create a new user account. If you don't have Microsoft account details, you can choose I don't have this person's sign-in information followed by Add a user without a Microsoft account.
• Assign a username and password for the new account and complete the setup.
• Then go back to the Accounts section. Under Family/Family & other users, select the newly created account and click Change account type.
• Under Account type, pick Administrator and click OK.
• Sign in with the new account and open Microsoft Edge.

Fix 6. Check Group Policy settings

If you can access Group Policy, check to ensure the settings are correct.

• Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
• Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
• Navigate to Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge.
• Check for any restrictive policies and set them to Not Configured.
• Restart the computer.

Fix 7. Reinstall Microsoft Edge

Many users managed to fix the STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED error by deleting related folders and reinstalling Edge.

• Right-click on Start and pick Installed apps/Apps and Features.
• Click Uninstall and confirm with Uninstall.
• Follow on-screen instructions to remove the app completely.
• Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
• Delete the following folders:
  • C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge
  • C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeCore
• Now uninstall Edge from Settings.
• Download and install the browser from the official website.

Fix 8. Update Windows

• Type Updates in Windows search and hit Enter.
• If updates are available, click Install updates.
• Otherwise, click Check for updates.
• If optional updates are available, install them as well.
• When all the update processes are complete, restart your computer.