Windows 0x80070020: Resolving Access Denied During Software Installation

The 0x80070020 error is commonly encountered during software installation or Windows update attempts, and it generally indicates a conflict with another process that is preventing the installation from completing.

This issue often arises when a background process or an application is using the files required by the installation, causing the system to deny access.

To resolve the error, start by performing a clean boot of your system.

A clean boot allows you to start Windows with only essential drivers and services running, which can eliminate software conflicts.

To perform a clean boot, type msconfig in the Start menu search bar, open the System Configuration utility, and uncheck the boxes under Selective Startup that load startup items and non-Microsoft services.

Restart your PC and try running the installation again.

If the issue persists, check for any background processes or antivirus software that might be interfering with the installation.

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and look for processes that could be using the files, such as Windows Update, antivirus programs, or backup software.

Try closing these processes and running the installer again.

Additionally, ensure that you have full administrative rights for the installation.

Right-click on the installer file and select Run as administrator to bypass any permission-related issues.

If the error persists, try disabling your antivirus temporarily, as it might be blocking the installer from accessing necessary files.