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Maniphest T190324

Unable to install BattlEye - Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file
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Description

I am attempting to play PC DayZ after a while. I have recently updated AMD drivers and cannot undo-- This is the only change I am aware of. I am NOT on Windows Insider (I have regular public version updated Windows).

I am getting this error:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\DayZ\DayZ_x64.exe

Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item."

  1. This happens when I am trying to simply launch the game and update BattlEye. I cannot update BattlEye, I keep running into this message.
  2. I have tried opening steam, DayZ, and DayZ BE .exe with Run as Admin. I have also went into properties > and configuration > clicked Run as Admin.
  3. I have verified intergrity of game files x3.
  4. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the entirity of DayZ. I have also unsubscribed from ALL DayZ mods.

What else can I do for this? I can't play update BattlEye, and therefore I cannot play DayZ.

Details

Severity
Major
Resolution
Open
Reproducibility
Always
Operating System
Windows 11 x64
Operating System Version
Windows 11 Home - 10.0.26100 Build 26100
Category
Error Message
Steps To Reproduce
  1. This happens when I am trying to simply launch the game and update BattlEye. I cannot update BattlEye, I keep running into this message.
  2. I have tried opening steam, DayZ, and DayZ BE .exe with Run as Admin. I have also went into properties > and configuration > clicked Run as Admin.
  3. I have verified intergrity of game files x3.
  4. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the entirity of DayZ. I have also unsubscribed from ALL DayZ mods.

Event Timeline

Geez changed the task status from New to Reviewed.Mar 24 2025, 10:12 AM
Geez added a subscriber: Geez.

Hello LawrenceC.
Please check the following:

When starting my game with BattlEye enabled, I get the following error message: “Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permission to access the item.”

This is likely caused by you trying to use an unsupported Windows 10 Insider build. While we try to support the latest builds as fast as possible, there can sometimes be delays related to a number of factors. Until then you will have to downgrade to an official public build of Windows 10.

https://www.battleye.com/support/faq/

LawrenceC added a comment.Mar 26 2025, 12:59 AM
In T190324#2777678, @Geez wrote:

Hello LawrenceC.
Please check the following:

When starting my game with BattlEye enabled, I get the following error message: “Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permission to access the item.”

This is likely caused by you trying to use an unsupported Windows 10 Insider build. While we try to support the latest builds as fast as possible, there can sometimes be delays related to a number of factors. Until then you will have to downgrade to an official public build of Windows 10.

https://www.battleye.com/support/faq/

I have checked the FAQs. I definitely do not have Windows Insider. That is not a factor. Why else would it do this?

LawrenceC added a comment.Mar 26 2025, 3:23 AM

Finally have a definitive fix. ChatGPT helped. I couldn't find this anywhere online.

Deleted All BattlEye Files
I manually removed every trace of BattlEye:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\BattlEye\

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\DayZ\BattlEye\

C:\Users<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\BattlEye\
Note: AppData and ProgramData are hidden. Use %appdata% in the Run box and navigate back to AppData\Local.

Restarted the PC

Turned Off Antivirus and Firewall
Before reinstalling anything, I temporarily disabled:

Windows Defender real-time protection

Any third-party antivirus

Windows Firewall

Reinstalled BattlEye via Steam

Opened Steam as Administrator

Verified game files:
Steam → Library → Right-click DayZ → Properties → Installed Files → Verify Integrity of Game Files

Steam redownloaded BattlEye

Launched DayZ through Steam
(Don’t launch the .exe directly. Use Steam’s Play button)

Added Exclusions to Prevent Future Issues
Before turning Windows Defender and Antivirus back on, I added exclusions:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\BattlEye\

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\DayZ\

Also allowed DayZ_x64.exe and BEService.exe through Windows Firewall:
Control Panel → Windows Defender Firewall → Allow an app or feature

Result:
DayZ launched successfully. BattlEye no longer fails to install. Problem solved.

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