How to Fix Steam Missing File Privileges Error

One of the most paradigm-shifting events of modern game history was Valve’s advent of Steam. Not only did it make it easier for gamers to get their hands on updates, DLCs, expansions, remote gaming, and matchmaking servers but it also gave gamers a chance to foster a community.

Not to mention all the Steam sales. However, Steam is not without its issues. Whether it is because Steam doesn’t have enough disk space or because downloads are stopping for no discernible reason, you’re bound to run into a few errors from time to time.

One of the most common ones is Steam missing file privileges. There are quite a few reasons as to why you would encounter this error. In this guide, we will cover them as well as how to fix the issue or work around it.

Steam Missing File Privileges: Top 15 Fixes

This issue often occurs on Windows 10 while trying to install a game or update from Steam. Most of the community has hypothesized that it occurs because of a rogue graphics card driver. This has a higher probability of occurring if you have an on-board Intel graphics card and you have software running for it.

Intel’s igfxEm module may be responsible for Steam’s file privilege errors due to some corruption. However, even if you don’t have Intel onboard graphics, you still may run into this error.

Another cause for this error is server overloads or shutdowns in your region. Alternatively, it could be due to a glitch or mismatch in your game cache files and/or Steam library folder. Whatever the case is, the remedies in this guide should help you resolve your issue.

We feel that we can confidently state that this is the most in-depth and comprehensive guide on how to fix Steam’s missing file privileges error.

Method 1: Restart Your PC

This may seem like the most obvious solution and if you have already tried this, we apologize. Nevertheless, sometimes what seems to be the simplest solution is often overlooked.

You might also find yourself too full of dread to restart your computer, due to slow start-up times because you are running an old tired hard-drive instead of a new solid-state drive for gaming.

It is best to get on with it and try it. If it does not work for you, we have some other fixes in this guide that may.

Method 2: Change Your Download Region

Your download region can actually influence not only the speed and availability of your download but how smoothly it works too. Being connected to a sluggish or corrupt or download server can cause a Steam missing file privilege error. This is how you can possibly fix it:

1. With the Steam client/application open, click on the top left Steam menu item and then select Settings.
2. Click on the setting labeled ‘Downloads’
3. From the Download Region drop-down menu, select a different region but make sure that it’s close to you.
4. Click on the OK button. Steam will then prompt you to restart the client.

Restart the Steam client and check if the problem persists. In addition to possibly fixing the Seam file privilege error, this method also helps with situations where your Steam download keeps stopping or is slow.

Method 3: Stop and Fix the igfxEm Module

Some applications and/or processes may interfere with Steam. The igfxEm module is one of these processes. This is how to stop it and possibly fix the Steam missing file privileges error.

1. Run the Windows Task Manager. The easiest way to do this is by hitting Ctrl+Shift+Esc on your keyboard. Alternatively, you can right-click on an empty area of your taskbar and select Task Manager from the context menu.
2. If you’re using Windows 8/8.1/10, click on the Details tab. For those who are still running older versions of Windows, click on the Processes tab.
3. To make it easier for yourself, sort the processes according to Name or Image Name.
4. In the list of processes, search for one labeled ‘igfxEm.exe’ or ‘igfxem.exe’.
5. Click on the ifgxem.exe process and then click on the End task/Process button near the bottom right side of Task Manager.

If you are unfamiliar with what igfxEM is, it’s the Graphics Executable Main Module for Intel’s Common User interface. It ensures that your resolution settings are saved when your monitor is disconnected or turned off.

The igfxEM module is known to interfere with Steam and Origin updates. While a lot of Windows laptops, notebooks and mobile computers with integrated onboard Intel graphics still use the module, it’s not a necessity for the health of your computer.

To prevent the Steam file privilege error from occurring in the future, we can disable the igfxEm module completely. This is how:

1. Open the Windows Run dialog (Win+R).
2. Type ‘msconfig’ into the text field (without the inverted commas).
3. Click on the OK button.
4. Click on the Services tab.
5. From the list, find the igfxEM module and un-tick the checkbox directly to the left of it.
6. Click on Apply and then OK.

You may not be able to find the igfxEM module or process on your computer. This is good news. It means you have the latest Intel drivers. It seems Intel became aware that a module in their software was causing issues.

One of the most important aspects of making sure that Windows 10 is optimized for gaming is to ensure that you’re using the latest drivers. Thus, another way to potentially eliminate your issues with the igfxEm module and Steam file privileges is to update the driver. You can update the driver with the following instructions:

1. Right-click on the Start button or hit the Win+X keys on your keyboard.
2. From the menu, select Device Manager.
3. Expand the Display adapters item.
4. Find your Intel graphics device and right-click on it.
5. Select Update driver from the context menu.
6. Click on the first option (Search automatically for updated driver software).
7. It will take a few minutes to search for the latest drivers. As soon as it’s done, it will prompt you to install the drivers or inform you that the best drivers are already installed.

Depending on which version of Intel’s display/graphics adapter you’re running, the igfxEM module should be removed from your computer after you update the driver. It will be replaced by the ifgxPERS module, which does exactly the same thing as the igfxEM.

Method 4: Run Steam with Administrator Privileges

1. Close the Steam client entirely. You can do this by opening the Task Manager, looking for a process labeled Steam Client Bootstrapper and killing it by clicking on End task.
2. Right-Click on the Steam shortcut on your desktop or taskbar and select Run as administrator from the context menu. If you don’t have a Steam shortcut on your taskbar or desktop, you’ll have to navigate to Steam’s folder in Program Files (or Program Files (x86)), locate the Steam executable and run it as an administrator from there.

Steam may be trying to access files or folders that require administrative rights. The method above should fix this issue. If this was indeed the cause of Steam not having file privileges, then you may want a permanent solution. To give Steam permanent administrative rights follow these steps:

1. Open Window File Explorer (or any other Windows compatible file manager/explorer) and navigate to where your Steam folder is and open it.
2. Right-click on Steam.exe and then select Properties from the context menu.
3. Click on the tab marked Compatibility.
4. Near the bottom of the window, just above the button marked ‘Change settings for all users’, you’ll see a checkbox labeled ‘Run this program as an administrator’. Make sure that this checkbox is checked.
5. Click on the Apply button and then on OK.

Method 5: Verify Integrity of Steam Game Files

1. Run Steam.
2. Find the game that is giving you the Steam file privilege issue and right-click on it.
3. Select Properties from the pop-up menu.
4. On the Properties screen, click on the tab marked ‘LOCAL FILES’.
5. Find the button labeled ‘VERIFY INTEGRITY OF GAME FILES’ and click on it.

Steam will then compare the files on your system to what they have on their servers. This can take a while depending on the size of the game you’re scanning. If Steam should find any problems with the game files, it should fix it automatically.

Method 6: Repair Steam Library Folder

1. Run Steam.
2. Click on the top left Steam menu item.
3. Select Settings from the context menu.
4. Click on the setting labeled ‘Downloads’.
5. Under the Content Libraries section, click on the button marked ‘STEAM LIBRARY FOLDERS’
6. Right-click on the center of the panel or on the Steam Library Folder and select Repair Library Folder from the context menu.

This process should take a few minutes. When it’s done, restart Steam and try to update or install the game.

Method 7: Verify if SteamApp Folder Has the Right Permissions

1. Make sure that the Steam client is completely closed.
2. Open Windows File Explorer and navigate to the SteamApp folder. (C:\\Program Files(x86)\\Steam\\Steamapp or C:\\Program Files\\Steam\\Steamapp).
3. Once you’ve found the Steamapp folder, right-click it and select Properties from the context menu.
4. Make sure the General tab is selected.
5. Under the Attributes section, you will see two checkboxes and a button. Verify that the Read-only checkbox is unchecked. If it has been ticked, un-tick it.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Restart Steam and check if the issue has been resolved.

Steam may be getting the file privilege error because it simply does not have write permissions to the SteamApp folder. The above method should resolve this issue if that’s the case.

If that doesn’t work, we’ll have to go in a bit deeper.

1. Make sure that the Steam client is completely closed.
2. Open Windows File Explorer and navigate to where your Steam folder is.
3. Right-click on it and select Properties from the context menu.
4. Click on the Security tab.
5. Click on the button labeled ‘Edit’.
6. Go through each editable user and make sure that they have all possible permissions checked under Allow. To make it quick, make sure that the Full control box under Allow is ticked. Verify that none of the boxes under Deny are ticked.
7. Click on the OK button.

Once this is done, run the Steam client and check if you are still getting the same error.

Method 8: Grant Full Permissions to the File

Method 7 should have worked for all files in the Steam folder unless it was locked by another application. In this method, we will try to pinpoint the file that is giving you all the issues and granting it full control.

1. Read the error message and pay careful attention to the directory of the problem file.
2. Close the Steam client completely.
3. Navigate to where the file is (e.g. C: > Program Files (86) > Steam > steamapps > downloading > 570 > game > dota > maps > dota_sfm.vpk) and right-click it.
4. Select the Security tab.
5. Click on the button labeled ‘Edit’.
6. Ensure that all editable users have the Full control box under Allow ticked. In addition to this, verify that none of the boxes under Deny are ticked.
7. Click on the OK button.

Once you are done applying this fix, re-run Steam and check if you encounter the same error message. If the error is showing up for a different file, this likely means the above method worked. Try the above method for each file that causes the Steam file privilege error message.

Method 9: Delete the Problem File(s)

If method 8 didn’t’ work for you, you might have to delete the problem files and let Steam re-download them. This issue should have been solved with methods 6 and 7 but sometimes the files may be locked.

1. Make sure that the Steam client is completely closed.
2. Look at the error dialog from Steam and make a note of the directory of the file in question.
3. Use Windows File Explorer to find the file and delete it.

If the file is locked, you can try to delete it by booting Windows through Safe Mode. Alternatively, you can try a free application like Lock Hunter.

To start your Windows 10 PC in safe mode:

1. Open the Windows Run dialog (Win + R).
2. Type ‘msconfig’ into the Open text field.
3. Click on the OK button. This will open the System Configuration window.
4. Click on the Boot tab.
5. Make sure your current operating system is selected.
6. Under the Boot options panel, tick the Safe boot checkbox. In addition to this, make sure that the Minimal radio button is selected too.
7. Click on Apply and OK.

Restart your computer. Do not forget to uncheck safe mode after you are done deleting the file(s).

Method 10: Clear Steam’s Download Cache

As with any other software or tool connected to the internet, Steam has its own download cache. This makes it easier for Steam to load information and download games quicker. A corrupted Steam download cache can cause quite a few issues.

1. Run Steam.
2. From the top left side of the pane, click on the Steam menu item.
3. Click on Settings.
4. Once the Settings screen is open, click on the setting labeled Downloads.
5. Click on the button marked ‘CLEAR DOWNLOAD CACHE’. It should be located near the bottom of the window.
6. A dialog will then appear informing you that this process will clear your entire local download cache, you will need to log into Steam once the process is complete. Click on the OK button, if you want to proceed.

The process should not take too long depending on the size of your download cache. Once it’s done, you can log back into Steam and verify if this has fixed Steam’s missing file privileges.

Method 11: Uninstall and Reinstall the Game

A quicker way to delete the problem files is to uninstall the game completely and re-installing it.

1. Run the Steam client application.
2. Find the game that’s having all the issues in your library and then right-click on it.
3. Select Uninstall from the pop-up menu.
4. You will then be presented with a confirmation dialog, click on Delete.
5. Navigate to the Steam store, try to find your game and install it again.

We hope that this simple fix works for you. If not, we still have a few more methods in this guide that are worth trying.

Method 12: Manually Delete the Entire Game Folder

If you find that more than one file is affected by the problem, then you can save time by simply deleting the entire folder and forcing Steam to re-download it. Sometimes uninstalling a game from Steam isn’t enough. Some residual files may be leftover because they’re locked.

It’s important to note that this solution isn’t for users with metered connections or limited bandwidth. You would be better off deleting each file individually than wasting all your data.

For those who can afford to delete the entire folder and re-download the game, all you have to do is follow the steps under Method 9, with one exception. Steam saves downloaded and downloading games according to their AppID. These AppIDs can be found on Steam’s database.

You can find your game by using the search field on the site menu bar on the top. An easier way to find your game’s AppID is to use the error dialog that Steam displays to inform you that it’s missing file privileges.

For instance, if the error informs you that Steam is missing file privileges for a file contained in this path: C: \\Program Files (86)\\Steam\\steamapps\\downloading\\570\\game\\dota\\maps\\ dota_sfm.vpk, your game’s AppID would be ‘570’ which is the folder you must delete (C: \\Program Files (86)\\Steam\\steamapps\\downloading\\570).

Once again, if you have any trouble deleting the folder, make sure that Steam is closed then try deleting the file using Lock Hunter or Windows Safe Mode, as demonstrated in Method 9.

Method 13: Create a New Steam Library Folder

Sometimes your entire Steam library folder is a mess. It’s okay to abandon ship and start afresh. If you’re going to create a new Steam library folder, it’s best that you create it in a directory or folder with fewer restrictions than Program Files or Program Files (x86).

1. Run the Steam client.
2. From the top menu bar, click on the Steam menu item.
3. Click on Settings.
4. Click on the Download setting.
5. Click on the button marked ‘STEAM LIBRARY FOLDERS’. It should be under the Content Libraries section.
6. On the Steam Library Folder screen, click on the ‘ADD LIBRARY FOLDER’ button that is located near the bottom.
7. You can choose to use an existing path or create a new folder for your new Steam library.
8. Once you’ve created your new Steam library, you can set it as the default Steam library by right-clicking on it and selecting the appropriate command from the context menu.

Now that you have created your Steam folder, you might want to move your games to it:

1. Close the Steam client.
2. Open Windows File Explorer and browse to the location of the old Steam library that you would like to move (C:\Program Files\Steam or C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam).
3. Copy these three files and folders: Steam.exe (file), SteamApps (folder) and Userdata (folder)
4. Paste these items into your new Steam Library folder e.g. F:\\Steam
5. You can then delete or rename the old Steam folder under Program Files.

If you should find yourself running into any errors while attempting to delete or rename the old Steam folder, make sure that you have administrative rights before you try. You will also need to verify that you have closed the Steam client completely.

Method 14: Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus

Anti-viruses are known to interfere and be aggressive with even some of the most friendly and docile applications out there.  Your anti-virus could cause update issues with Discord or prevent your BlueStacks engine from starting up.

Your antivirus may be giving you a false positive on some of Steam’s game files. It may also be locking them due to scanning. Temporarily stopping your antivirus is as easy as clicking on one of the options from its system tray.

If you’re unsure about how to temporarily disable your anti-virus, then it is advised that you read through your anti-virus help documentation.

We also recommend that you ensure that Steam or any of the ports it uses is not blocked by your firewall. If you find that this method does not solve the Steam’s missing file privileges error, try to go through the other methods in this guide with your anti-virus off temporarily.

Method 15: Contact Steam Support

If none of the options in this guide worked for you, double-check that your graphics card drivers are up to date. If the problem persists then maybe it is time to contact Steam support. You can also visit Steam’s official forum or Reddit’s steam community.

Conclusion

While Steam may have its issues, it’s still a lot better than Origin. In this guide, we explored 16 fixes to help you resolve Steam’s missing file privileges error. If none of these fixes work for you, we suggest throwing your whole PC away and starting over again. Okay, maybe you shouldn’t do anything that drastic.

However, maybe you should consider migrating to a really good Linux distro. Either way, we hope that you’ve enjoyed reading through this guide.

Which method worked for you? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment down below. Thank you for reading.