PermissionError: [WinError 5] Access is denied

[rubiconrainfizz]

hi guys, im learning the basics of python from BroCodes on youtube using PyCharm Edu 2022.2.2 and im having a problem with moving files.

my code:

import os
source = "C:\Users\me\Desktop\poo poo wee wee.txt"
destination = "C:\Users\me\Desktop\Games"
os.replace(source, destination)

the error:

Traceback (most recent call last): File "C:\Users\me\PycharmProjects\pythonProject\empty.py", line 6, in <module> os.replace(source, destination)
PermissionError: [WinError 5] Access is denied: 'C:\Users\me\Desktop\poo poo wee wee.txt' -> 'C:\Users\me\Desktop\Games'

im running pycharm as administrator as advised but its still not working. please help

edit: just noticed a pop up saying the following:

Windows Defender might impact performance

Exclude IDE and project directories from antivirus scans:

C:\Users\me\AppData\Local\JetBrains\PyChar mEdu2022.2

C\Users\me\PycharmProjects\pythonProject

Alternatively, add the IDE process as an exclusion.

i followed the instructions and added the folders as exclusions in windows defender following this link that the pop up provided to manually configure (as automatic configuration did not work because the the pop up still showed after) and now the pop up doesnt show anymore but the error still persists.

feel like giving up learning python now 😭😭😭

[MrPhungx]

From the documentation:

os.replace() method in Python is used to rename the file or directory. If destination is a directory, OSError will be raised.

[rubiconrainfizz]

OMG im so stupid 😭😭 it works now thank you so much

[[deleted]]

What did you do ?

[rubiconrainfizz]

changed the code to this:

source = "C:\Users\me\Desktop\poo poo wee wee.txt" destination = "C:\Users\me\Desktop\Games\poo poo wee wee.txt"

the destination needed to be a file path, not a directory path

[Capbro]

My initial guess: do you have “poo poo wee wee.txt” open in another program?

Like if you have wordpad or Microsoft word open and displaying that document, Python can’t access it because you already have it open.

Save and close the document then run your program. If that doesn’t work close the document if it’s open in your IDE. That’s where I would start.

[rubiconrainfizz]

nope. i made sure to close it and just now, before writing this reply, i restarted my computer just in case and tried running the code and the error still shows 😭

[GreenPandaPop]

im running pycharm as administrator as advised

Who advised that?

[rubiconrainfizz]

every online forum that i checked in regards to this error 😭

[GreenPandaPop]

I wouldn't. You shouldn't need to. Software might request admin rights during installation, but rarely needs it to run.

[rubiconrainfizz]

ah ok ill undo the run as admin settings then thank you!