Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation

By
Garvit Sinha
-
6912

SFC (System File Checker) scan is a handy feature which is available in all the versions of Windows Operating System. Users face the issue of Windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation error message. While they try to run SFC on their Windows PC.

Fix: This Operation Has Been Cancelled Due To Restrictions In Effect On This Computer

Why Does this Error Occur?

SFC is a troubleshooting process, so it is necessary to find a quick solution to this issue. An SFC scan can help you to analyse all the system files for any error, corruption and damage and it fixes the issues found in system files by replacing the damaged or corrupted system files with fresh and new ones.

windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation
Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation

A proper SFC scan can fix multiple numbers of issues on your Windows PC but sometimes the SFC scan can fail too leading to the Windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation error. The error message pop ups to tell you what went wrong due to which the scan failed. This issue affects all the versions of Windows Operating System which are currently available that is Windows 7, 8 and 10.

It is difficult to say what exactly can lead to Windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation error message on your screens as the cause varies for each different user. But this error is generally related to the SFC utility which restricts its ability to access system files that are required to operate or to scan for damages and corruption. If the SFC scan fails on your PC displaying the Windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation error message, it means that any damaged or corrupt system files that it has found were not fixed.

How to Resolve Windows Resource Protection Could Not Perform the Requested Operation?

Below is a list of some possible solutions that can help you to resolve this issue. Check out all the solutions given below. Then select which one suits best for you to remove the Windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation error message.

Method #1 Run SFC or Scannow in Safe Mode

If you are not able to run the SFC scan usually in your PC and you are receiving the Windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation error message, then you can use Safe Mode to complete the process. When Windows 10 Operating System runs in safe mode, then all the third party apps and its related processes will get stopped. So if some third- party software was the cause of the issue, then now you will be able to perform the SFC scan without any problem. Follow the steps to reboot your PC into safe mode:

  1. At First, press Windows + R on your keyboard together to open Run engine on your PC.
    msconfig
    msconfig
  2. Then type “msconfig” in the dialog box and click OK.msconfig minimal boot
  3. Under the System Configuration, navigate to the Boot tab.
    Read Also: – {Solved} Fix Unmountable Boot Volume (STOP: 0x000000ED)
  4. Then under the Boot options, check the Safe Mode box and then check Minimal option.
  5. Afterwards, click on OK and Apply.
  6. Then click on Restart and your PC will automatically restart into Safe Mode. If the Windows 10 shutdown process is slow then it you can take help from this guide to make it work better.
    sfc /scannow
    sfc /scannow
  7. Finally, run sfc/ scannow command.

Method #2 Use DISM

Follow the steps to run DISM to remove the Windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation error message from your screens.

  1. At First, press Windows + X keys together and choose Command Prompt (Admin) to open it.
  2. Then type the command given below three times in cmd (Command Prompt) and press Enter key after each one.
    DISM /Online /Cleanupcmd disk cleanup
  3. Afterwards, wait for few minutes to let the DISM process finish and reboot your computer system.

Method #3 Run Check Disk Scan from Command Prompt

If there are some faults or errors in your hard disk, it can lead to other issues in your PC like SFC error which shows Windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation error message on your computer screens. If the hard drive of your computer is not showing up, corrupt or contains bad sectors, SFC scan would fail to happen even in the safe mode.

There is a process available that allows you to scan and repair errors in your hard disk automatically. If automatic repair can’t repair your PC then refer to this guide. The process is the chkdsk utility which will enable you to verify the integrity of the hard drive and to fix any errors present in the system files. Follow the steps to run the chkdsk scan:

    1. At First, right-click on the Start menu and then select Command Prompt (Admin) from the list.type chkdsk r
  1. Then under the Command Prompt window, type  /r and hit Enter key.
  2. A confirmation dialog box will appear, either click on Yes in it or type ‘y’ as an answer to proceed with the disk check.
    Chkdsk
    Chkdsk
  3. Afterwards, close Command Prompt window and restart your Windows PC.
  4. The scan will take place automatically. CHKDSK scan will take a long time to finish as it depends on the size of the hard disk and data stored in it. After the disk check scan is done, Windows will boot automatically.sfc /scannow
  5. After logging in the Windows, navigate to open Command Prompt (Admin) again. Type sfc or scannow in it to run SFC scan. Press Enter key.

Finally, check if the SFC scan is done without any errors.

Method #4 Change Security Settings for the WinSxS folder

The SFC scan can fail when the System File Checker utility is unable to access the contents of the WinSxS folder. The WinSxS folder consists of some important files and folders for the installation of them in Windows and backups and updates of these files. Many times the security descriptors of these folders can restrict the SFC utility. Accessing the contents of this folder and this can lead to Windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation error message. Follow the steps to fix this:

  1. At First, right-click on the Start menu and choose Command Prompt (Admin) from the list.
  2. In Command Prompt, type ICACLS C: Windowswinsxs and hit Enter key.admin-command-prompt
  3. Then close Command Prompt and restart your system.
  4. Afterwards, SFC now and check if the issue of Windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation error message is fixed.

Method #5 Use Windows Update Troubleshooter

Follow the steps to remove the Windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation error message using Windows Troubleshooter. This can be helpful when your Windows update service is not working properly. Also, you can take help from Windows Update Troubleshooter when your Windows update is not working.

  1. At First, open your web browser and navigate to the Microsoft’s website.
  2. Then select the version of Windows Operating System that you are currently using and then download the Windows Update Troubleshooter.windows update troubleshooter
  3. Afterwards, double-click on the downloaded file and run it.
  4. Then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.windows-update-troubleshooter-setup
  5. Finally, restart your computer.

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Conclusion

The steps mentioned above will help you to solve the problem. You won’t see the Windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation error message on your Windows PC. Also, you will be able to run SFC scan uninterruptedly now. So go ahead and solve your error to use your computer uninterruptedly.

See Also: [FIXED]: You Must Be An Administrator Running A Console Session SFC