Last updated: March 16th, 2026 at 16:43 UTC+01:00
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Newer Galaxy Books appear to be safe.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Abhijeet Mishra / SamMobile
Two days ago, Microsoft temporarily removed the Samsung Galaxy Connect app from its store after a severe bug broke some Windows 11 Samsung laptops and PCs.
Microsoft says Samsung has since republished a stable version of the app, but some damage had already occurred, and recovery options remain limited.
The flaw triggered the error “C:\ is not accessible – Access denied,” preventing users from accessing files, performing administrative tasks, or launching key apps, including:
The bug will manifest itself when users try to perform routine tasks and doesn't require any specific actions to be triggered. In some cases, the issue prevented users from elevating privileges, collecting logs, or uninstalling updates.
On the one hand, Microsoft says it received reports of the issue after users installed the recent February 2026 security update for Windows 11 (KB5077181).
On the other hand, Microsoft's investigation revealed that the issue is not caused by current or previous Windows monthly updates but does affect Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2.
In terms of devices, the issue has been observed on select Galaxy Books and Samsung desktop PCs:
Newer devices, including Galaxy Book 5 and the brand-new Galaxy Book 6, appear unaffected.
Samsung and Microsoft are working together to develop and validate fixes. They continue evaluating options, and Microsoft will update its documentation as details and solutions become available.
Meanwhile, affected users are advised to contact Samsung support for device-specific assistance.
Mihai is a blogger and column writer at SamMobile. His first Samsung phone was an A800 which took a lot of beating, and a part of him still misses the novelty of the clamshell design. In his free time, he enjoys watching shows, documentaries, and stand-up comedy; listening to music, taking walks, and occasionally playing old(er) video games.
