How to Fix Steam Missing File Privileges?

The Steam missing file privileges error is dreaded by every gamer. After a long day of work, you come home, and all you can think about is to enjoy the new game you wanted to play for so long. As soon as you launch steam and try to download it, you get the error message “Steam missing file privileges”.

But don’t worry it is not a big issue and can be solved with the right fixes. In this article, I will tell you how to fix this error. So without wasting any more time let’s look at the solutions.

Fixes For Steam File Missing Privileges

Solution 1: Run Steam As An Administrator

The problem may be occurring due to a lack of proper permissions. It is seen in many cases that the problem is with the read/write permissions, when Steam only has read permissions it cannot write new data.

Thus, giving steam administrative permissions may solve the issue.

To run Steam as an administrator follow these easy steps:

·        First go to the task manager and End the task named Steam Client Bootstrapper.

·        Now go to the desktop and right-click on the Steam icon to select “Run as administrator”.

Now check if the problem still persists.

Solution 2: Clear Download Cache

One of the easiest solutions to fix the Steam missing file privileges is by clearing the download cache which steam uses to obtain game files from the server.

To do so follow these easy steps:

·        Start Steam.

·        Click on the view option in the top bar of the Steam home screen.

·        Select settings from the drop-down menu.

·        Now choose the downloads option.

·        Simply click on the clear download cache button and then press OK.

All your download cache will be deleted. Now restart the PC check if the Steam file missing privileges error still persists.

Solution3: Disable igfxEM Module

This is a solution for the users having an Intel Chipset and an inbuilt graphics card. It is seen in some cases that the igfxEM Module conflict with the read/write permissions of steam.

Thus you need to disable the igfxEM Module. To do so follow the steps:

·        Open the task manager by right-clicking on the taskbar and End the task named Steam Client Bootstrapper.

·        Now click on the Details tab.

·        Search for and select the process named igfxEM Module and then click on End Task.

Now restart your system and check if the problem is solved.

Solution 4: Disable Your Antivirus Temporarily

Antivirus software tends to have a very stubborn approach to work and in doing so it often interferes with important processes. In our case, it can prohibit the Steam software from writing anything on the PC.

In that case, I recommend you disable your antivirus as long as the installation or update is going on.

There are a number of antivirus software in the market and you might be using anyone of them. The process in all antivirus software will be a bit different that’s why I cannot give you the exact process to disable it.

However, the process for most of the antivirus software is more or less self-explanatory.

Don’t forget to turn the antivirus back on once the installation or update process is over. Or else your PC will become vulnerable to malware and virus infection.

Solution 5: Verify The Integrity Of Game Files

Many problems related to the steam downloads can be solved by verifying the game files only. You can verify the game files of your game in question by following the simple steps:

·        First open Steam and go to the games library.

·        Locate the game in question and right-click on it to select the properties option.

·        Go to the Local Files tab.

·        Click on the button saying "Verify Integrity Of Game Files”.

·        Once the process is finished then restart Steam.

After this, the game should download the files properly and start without the error message steam file missing privileges.

Solution 6: Repair Steam Library Folder

It might be the case that your Steam library folder has been corrupted or misconfigured. Then the Steam will show obscure problems and the Steam files missing privileges error is one of them.

It is very unlikely that this must happen but never less you should try this solution:

·        Restart your PC and open steam.

·        Click on the steam on the left top of the screen.

·        Then select the settings option.

·        Then click on the downloads option.

·        Click on the Steam Library Folders.

·        Right-click anywhere in the window and click on Repair Library Folder.

This should solve the problem and now the download/update should go swiftly.

Conclusion:

All these solutions are tried and trusted and must be useful to you. However, if the problem still persists, check if your PC has the required space in the drive to download the game you want to play.

If you found this article helpful then feel free to share this with others facing the same problem.