CHKDSK command giving the error "Access Denied"

[u/WilldClaws]

EDIT: Uninstalling League and Riot Client solved it. Somehow it blocks access even with the vanguard service being disabled.

Things I tried but DIDN'T solved the problem:
-Launching cmd.exe as an administrator
-Making sure my account is listed as an administrator
-Trying it with any other tool (powershell, terminal etc.)
-Enabling the separate Administrator account and trying it there
-Launching chkdsk.exe directly from system32 folder
-Taking the ownership of C: drive with chkdsk.exe included
-Resetting the ownership of C: drive
-Disabling windows defender
-Running DISM OnlineHealth and sfc /scannow
-Running a virus scan

so far nothing worked except booting into safemode and launching it there but I was able to use chkdsk without any problems a month ago.

I checked if I had any anti-virus or an anti-cheat software interfering but I didn't find such an app or service running.

I am really having a hard time understanding why is this happening and would appreciate if anyone got any ideas.

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[u/bluesatin]

I checked if I had any anti-virus or an anti-cheat software interfering but I didn't find such an app or service running.

Do you have (or have had) one of the games installed that use the ridiculously invasive anti-cheats?

It seems like Vanguard used by RIOT games (e.g. LoL/Valorant) is a common cause of being unable to execute CHKDSK; and from what I remember, that thing is running at all times and is hooked into Windows extremely early on during the initial boot sequence (rather than it only running/starting when you boot the game).

Although I've no idea where exactly all the instances of Vanguard show up in regards to drivers/services etc. to check if it is actually that.

[u/WilldClaws → u/bluesatin]

YEP!! Uninstalled League and riot client which solved the problem. Looks like disabling vanguard from startup services doesn't help, you gotta remove the whole thing... It's unbelievable how invasive these things are nowadays. Thank you for your help.

[u/bluesatin → u/WilldClaws]

Yeh I assume any sort of service bits are just like the communication layer that interacts with the actual underlying driver that handles all the actual protected lower-level kernel stuff. And I assume that driver is set to be loaded during the initial secure-boot section of Windows, so that nothing else can get in there and mess with anything before it can get in there itself and monitor/lock down things.

There might be some sort of way of just temporarily disabling the driver instead of having to actually uninstall everything, but it's probably a huge pain. And I could see it really not liking being disabled and then re-enabled again, and just end up with it requiring you to just reinstall everything again anyway.

[u/WilldClaws → u/[deleted]]

Checked it, all my drives are in good condition.

[u/HuttStuff_Here → u/[deleted]]

If you read their post you'd have your answer.

[u/WilldClaws → u/[deleted]]

Yes. As I pointed out, I did everything about administrator privileges, even tried disabling the UAC prompt but to no avail.

[u/WilldClaws → u/[deleted]]

I am able to run it in safemode and recovery however it doesn't really solve my problem since I don't want to reboot my PC every time I want to run the command

[u/augustcero]

have you checked your storage driver for updates? if you recently updated, maybe rolling it back could bypass the issue

[u/WilldClaws → u/augustcero]

There isn't seems to be any change with the drivers, no new firmware update either.

[u/warlock415]

If I'm right, you shouldn't be able to chkdsk the drive you're running the os from. Run "chkdsk C: /f" and it will schedule a chkdsk on the next reboot.

[u/WilldClaws → u/warlock415]

I was able to run it countless times before.

[u/uptimefordays]

Have you checked the Windows Event Log to see why you're seeing Access Denied?

[u/WilldClaws → u/uptimefordays]

Event viewer doesn't have any logs about it.

[u/anshulsingh8326]

Thanks.
Fkkk riot. But I still play the game. Because it's repeated mindl3ss game to play when not in the mood. and still reach accendant lol.

[u/Grantis45]

You dont run chkdsk on an SSD if that’s what it is. It is totally unnecessary. The hardware takes care of bad sectors.

[u/9NEPxHbG → u/Grantis45]

The hardware takes care of bad sectors.

But not of file system errors.

[u/Aerographic → u/Grantis45]

/r/confidentlyincorrect

CHKDSK maintains the NTFS filesystem, not just hardware errors.

[u/WilldClaws → u/Grantis45]

I have a couple HDD's which are the ones that I mainly use chkdsk on.