Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-04

How to Fix: VS Code - Error: EPERM: operation not permitted

VS Code permission issues on Windows 10.

Quick Answer: Try running VS Code as an administrator or using the 'Run as different user' option to resolve EPERM errors.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. ⚠️ Common Causes
  2. 🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps
  3. 💡 Conclusion

The 'EPERM: operation not permitted' error in VS Code occurs when the program is unable to perform an operation due to a lack of necessary permissions. This issue affects users on Windows 10, regardless of their administrative rights.

This problem can be frustrating as it may cause silent failures and unexpected behavior, especially when working with folders and deleting files. In this guide, we will explore the root causes of this error and provide two primary methods for resolving the issue.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The 'EPERM: operation not permitted' error often occurs due to a lack of permissions on the target folder or file. This can be caused by incorrect ownership settings, inadequate group membership, or insufficient access rights.
  • Another possible cause is an incompatibility issue between VS Code and Windows 10's file system permissions. This may be due to changes in Windows' permission handling or conflicts with third-party software.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Changing File System Permissions

  1. Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and navigate to the folder containing the affected files. Type `icacls` followed by the path of the folder, and press Enter. This will display the current permissions settings.
  2. Step 2: To change the ownership and permissions, type `icacls path/to/folder /inheritance:r /grant:r user:FULL [YourUsername]:F'`, replacing `[YourUsername]` with your actual username. Press Enter to apply the changes.
  3. Step 3: Restart VS Code and attempt to perform the operation that caused the error. If the issue persists, try resetting the file system permissions by typing `icacls path/to/folder /inheritance:r` and pressing Enter.

Resetting VS Code's File System Permissions

  1. Step 1: Open VS Code and navigate to the Settings menu (Ctrl + , or Ctrl + Shift + P). Type 'file system permissions' in the search bar and select 'File System Permissions: reset' from the dropdown list.
  2. Step 2: This will reset the file system permissions for all folders and files in your workspace. Note that this method may not resolve specific permission issues, but it can help resolve general permission-related errors.

💡 Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the 'EPERM: operation not permitted' error in VS Code. If the issue persists, try resetting the file system permissions or seeking further assistance from a Windows administrator or IT support specialist.

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