Microsoft Investigates Windows 11 C: Drive Access Issue on Samsung PCs
Summary
Microsoft is investigating C: drive access failures on some Samsung devices running Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 after February 2026 updates. Samsung Share may be involved, but the cause is unconfirmed; Microsoft warns against a workaround that weakens security.
Key points
- Some Samsung devices running Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 reportedly lose access to the C: drive after February 2026 security updates.
- The access-denied errors can prevent applications from launching and interfere with privilege elevation, update removal, and log access.
- Microsoft is working with Samsung; its investigation suggests Samsung Share may be involved, but the root cause is not confirmed.
- Reports primarily involve Galaxy Book 4 and other Samsung consumer devices, with reports concentrated in Brazil, Portugal, South Korea, and India.
- A user-posted workaround changes ownership of the C: drive and its subfolders to Everyone, which Microsoft-related reporting warns weakens Windows security protections.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Windows 11 access and permissions issue following the February 2026 security updates on some Samsung devices; Microsoft is investigating a possible connection to Samsung Share.
- Impact
- Affected users may lose access to the C: drive and be unable to launch applications or perform administrative tasks, including elevating privileges and uninstalling updates. A reported workaround that changes drive ownership to “Everyone” weakens Windows security protections and is not recommended. The issue is reported to affect Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, primarily on Galaxy Book 4 and other Samsung consumer devices.
Vendors
MicrosoftMicrosoft is investigating a Windows 11 issue affecting some Samsung laptops after the February 2026 security updates that can make the C: drive inaccessible and prevent applications like Outlook, Office apps, and webSamsungMicrosoft is investigating a Windows 11 issue affecting some Samsung laptops after the February 2026 security updates that can make the C: drive inaccessible and prevent applications like Outlook, Office apps, and web
Products
Galaxy Book 4The problem has been reported mainly in Brazil, Portugal, South Korea, and India and affects Galaxy Book 4 and other Samsung consumer devices.Samsung ShareThe company is working with Samsung and suspects the Samsung Share app may be involved, and users are advised not to apply a risky workaround that changes C: ownership because it weakens built-in security protections.Windows 11Microsoft is investigating a Windows 11 issue affecting some Samsung laptops after the February 2026 security updates that can make the C: drive inaccessible and prevent applications like Outlook, Office apps, and web
Countries
BrazilThe problem has been reported mainly in Brazil, Portugal, South Korea, and India and affects Galaxy Book 4 and other Samsung consumer devices.IndiaThe problem has been reported mainly in Brazil, Portugal, South Korea, and India and affects Galaxy Book 4 and other Samsung consumer devices.PortugalThe problem has been reported mainly in Brazil, Portugal, South Korea, and India and affects Galaxy Book 4 and other Samsung consumer devices.South KoreaThe problem has been reported mainly in Brazil, Portugal, South Korea, and India and affects Galaxy Book 4 and other Samsung consumer devices.