Fix Failed to enumerate objects in the container | Access is denied

The windows based computers connected to a local network are allowed to share documents in between them. Permissions are one way windows computers make sure only authorized users have rights to access specific files and folders. 

'' The failed to enumerate objects in the container '' is a common error message showed up when users try to change folder or file permission. Now this is taken as a security measure to keep things safe. 

Administrative controls are necessary to make changes in the files or folders. Most often this error might pop up even for administrative users too. While this error looks alarming at first site, it is relatively easy if you know the method to deal with it. The error comes with certain steps to help you resolve the issue.

In this article, I am going to tell you about Fixing Failed to enumerate objects in the container | Access is denied. This post contains effective solutions that anyone can try even without computer expertise.

Let's get started,

1. Change File Ownership

Clashes between the files and folders can result in failed to enumerate objects in the container error. This mainly happens if two or more file requests permissions at the same time. Therefore, manually altering the ownership of files and folders can resolve this error. 

To change file ownership, 

1. Right click on the file or folder
2. Select '' Properties ''
3. Navigate to the Security tab
4. Press '' Advanced ''
5. Press '' Change ''
6. Type the object name and Select '' Check Names ''
7. Press Ok 

For the users who are unable to find the username, proceed by selecting the advanced window.

2. Boot in Safe mode

Another recommended method to solve failed to enumerate objects in the container error is to boot in safe mode. Since in safe mode most of the programs are restricted, you will not experience such problems. Sometimes you cannot change ownership of files unless you boot into safe mode.

To boot into safe mode,

1. Go to Start
2. Type '' Settings ''
3. Select '' Update and Security ''
4. Choose '' Recovery tab ''
5. Select '' Troubleshoot ''
6. Select '' Advanced Options ''
7. Choose '' Startup Settings ''
8. Press '' Restart button ''
9. Press '' Number 4 '' to boot in safe mode

3. Use Command Prompt

There are certain commands that have proved to fix failed to enumerate objects in the container error. But in order for executing the commands you will be needing an administrator account. Otherwise, you cannot make changes to your system. Moreover, be sure to create restore points first. In case if the execution causes any problem you can use those to revert your system.

For fixing this error,

1. Go to Start
2. Type '' command prompt ''
3. Run click on it and Select '' Run as Administrator ''
4. Press '' Yes ''
5. Type the command,

• takedown /F X:\Z
• takedown /F X:\Z/r/d y
• icacls X:\Z/grant administrator:F
• icacls X:\Z/grant administrators:F /t

             Z (refers to the path of the document)

                                   
                                  

4. Disable UAC

In some instances, misconfigurations in the User Account Control (UAC) can also trigger failed to enumerate objects in the container error. Hence, you can attempt to fix this error easily by disabling UAC temporarily. If this successfully fixes the problem, you can enable back UAC.

To disable UAC,

1. Go to Start
2. Type '' Change User Account Control settings '' and double click on the results
3. Move the slider to the lowest and Press Ok