Windows cannot access the specified device when trying to open Forza Horizon 5 on the Xbox App

Hello again, try to perform the procedures below.

DEFRAG

Defragment your Windows 10 PC

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/def...

Using System File Checker in Windows

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/usi...

chkdsk

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server...

1 - Type cmd (Command Prompt) in the search bar of the Start menu and then click Run as administrator.

2 - Enter chkdsk /f/x/r/v

Being in use the system will ask if the user wants to check the chosen drive after reboot. Just type S and restart the computer.

All of my software is currently up to date. I tried it again and I still get the same messages.

Hello, first it's a pleasure to be able to help you today.

My name is welcome to the community.

Hello Forzahat3r, have you checked if you have the latest version of Windows installed, at 21H2.

See which version of Windows 10 you have

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/see...

have-12d35019-4da9-0cb1-ba47-f8b031b712ad

Updates are often seen as optional.

If you haven't updated yet, click the link below, update, and make all subsequent security updates.

Download Windows 10

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

Download Windows 11

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

Also, make sure all Xbox Apps are up to date in the store, and make sure you have the Xbox Companion App installed, it works with the Xbox App.

Hi Josef

Thanks very much for the reply. Forza 5 is installed on C: but not under the WindowsApps folder.

I followed your steps and tried again, but it didn't solve the problem. Nothing happens when I try to run Forza 5 from the Xbox app. In the Event Viewer I get the same error message as above. When I go to C:\XboxGames\Forza Horizon 5\Content and run ForzaHorizon5.exe I get a message saying: "Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item." Not sure if that is normal though?

When I run gamelaunchhelper.exe in the same folder as administrator, it opens the Forza 5 launch window, but then crashes while launching... Same permissions issue for source DistributedCom as above, with application error for ForzaHorizon5.exe.

Worth mentioning perhaps, that in one of my previous re-install attempts, I could get into the game after moving files to another drive. But then got an infinite loading screen at the xbox controller and could never go in game. When trying to move the game to a different drive now, the xbox app gives me error code 0x87e00196.

Thanks in advance.

And you're not able to see it too after opening Windows settings > apps and features and look for Forza Horizon 5?

Also, not in the Xbox app?

If that's the case, could you try reinstalling it via Xbox app to see if the process starts?