How to Fix Windows Message 'Access Denied' During NI USB Device Installation

Issue Details

I am trying to install my USB controller on my Windows machine. After installing the driver (NI-488.2, NI-DAQmx, etc.) and rebooting the PC, I plug my USB device into the USB port. The Found New Hardware messages pops up, and after the initialization message, I get an "Access Denied" message, and the installation aborts.   I am not able to detect the card in NI MAX. In device manager there is a driver missing mark next to it (yellow exclamation mark).

Solution

This issue is related to the Windows registry, and is not related to the particular USB device; any other USB device will still not work if you plug it to the port.

Windows Vista/7/10:

1.  Run regedit from the Start menu.  Be sure to export a backup copy of the registry before proceeding.
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\ENUM\USB using the tree to expand folders.
3. Right Click the USB folder and select Permissions...
4. In the dialog box, verify Everyone is a listed group and that Read is checked.
5. Click the Advanced tab and make sure Include inheritable permissions from this object's parent is selected.

6. Navigate to the Owner tab and make sure Replace owner on subcontainers and objects is selected as shown.

7. Select Apply to apply these changes. A warning message may appear at this point. Select OK to continue.
8. Select Apply in the Permissions for USB dialog box if necessary, then select OK to exit.
9. Retry the installation.

Windows 2000/XP:

1. Run regedit from the Start menu.  Be sure to export a backup copy of the registry before proceeding.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\ENUM\USB from the Menu bar.
3. Select Security » Permissions.
4. In the dialog box, select allow everyone to read the key.  Make sure Allow inheritable permissions from parent to propagate to this object is selected.
5. Click the Advanced tab and make sure Allow inheritable permissions from parent to propagate to this object is selected.
6. Retry the installation.