Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file

[SireEcho]

Whenever I try to run steam I get this error "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file" Please Help

[Seven7]

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2669244
+check firevall \ antivirus

When people will stop have to install Steam in Program Files?

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Sounds like you are trying to install Steam Client using an OS Limited User Account.
It needs to be installed (like when installing anything) via a User Account with Admin Rights.
And just install to C:\Steam anyways. To avoid issues, such as with UAC interference in Win8 or 10 OS.

[SireEcho]

Originally posted by Seven7:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2669244
+check firevall \ antivirus

When people will stop have to install Steam in Program Files?

My Firewall and antivirus are not a problem.

Originally posted by Bad-Motha:

Sounds like you are trying to install Steam Client using an OS Limited User Account.
It needs to be installed (like when installing anything) via a User Account with Admin Rights.
And just install to C:\Steam anyways. To avoid issues, such as with UAC interference in Win8 or 10 OS.

It is not a limited acc. I am the only user and I am an admin also steam was already installed and was working before.

[Snapjak]

You can't rule out firewalls and AV until they're uninstalled. That is not how you troubleshoot a PC.

Even if you just temporarily uninstall them to test, then reinstall right away. That's better than going "it's not them".

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Did you upgrade to Win10; but then still have your old Desktop shortcuts from previous OS?

[SireEcho]

Originally posted by Bad-Motha:

Did you upgrade to Win10; but then still have your old Desktop shortcuts from previous OS?

No my computer started with win 10 pre-installed.

And Its not my fire wall or antivirus.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

So reinstall Steam, whats the issue?

[Birdy.J]

Originally posted by Bad-Motha:

So reinstall Steam, whats the issue?

Why don't you ask op to try right click running it as admin

[SireEcho]

Originally posted by Xp3nDaBirD:

Why don't you ask op to try right click running it as admin

That didn't work but good thought.

Originally posted by Bad-Motha:

So reinstall Steam, whats the issue?

Will that Uninstall all my games?

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Did u just install Steam Client and get this error; or was it working and then all of a sudden u got this issue?

What anti-virus or security software do you have installed?

[SireEcho]

Originally posted by Bad-Motha:

Did u just install Steam Client and get this error; or was it working and then all of a sudden u got this issue?

What anti-virus or security software do you have installed?

It was working properly before but the error only happened in the last day.

My only actively running security software is mcafee internet security and bitdefender anti-ransomeware.

[Seven7]

mcafee is ransomware - uninstall it completely
some antivirus software on the same system do NOT increase security in the n - times - on the contrary, they REDUCE the security + added a lot of problems

[ KARR™]

Is the file in the folder you are trying to load the shortcut from?
Can you get to the folder manually?
Does it work if you run the exe from the Steam installation directory?

What have you tried to troubleshoot it?

[SireEcho]

Originally posted by ⎛⎝ KARR ⎠⎞:

Is the file in the folder you are trying to load the shortcut from?
Can you get to the folder manually?
Does it work if you run the exe from the Steam installation directory?

What have you tried to troubleshoot it?

I have tried Windows troublshooting which doesn't help.
Yes I can get to the folder manually and running the program not the shortcut does not help either.

[SireEcho]

Originally posted by Seven7:

mcafee is ransomware - uninstall it completely
some antivirus software on the same system do NOT increase security in the n - times - on the contrary, they REDUCE the security + added a lot of problems

ha ha *clap* ... *clap*...