5 Fixes for the “Failed to Enumerate Objects in the Container” Error on Windows

Verily, the lamentable "Failed to enumerate objects in the container" Windows error doth rear its head when embarking upon certain actions such as accessing files, folders, or a noble drive upon thy PC. ‘Tis a vexation that may also arise when seeking to modify their permissions. Although the root cause may vary, from a dearth of admin privileges to the corruption of system files, fret not for the remedy is within reach.

1. Switch to an Administrator Account
   ‘Tis oft a common reason why thou may find thyself struggling to alter permissions for a file, folder, or drive if thou art not using an account of administrator. To avoid this pitfall, ensure that thine Windows account boasts of administrative privileges. Shouldst thou find thyself with a standard account, make haste to switch to an administrator account and attempt the task anew. Or perchance, thou canst alter a user account type from standard to administrator via the Settings app or Control Panel—though, naturally, requiring an admin account for such an endeavor.
2. Take Ownership of a File or Folder Using the Command Prompt
   At times, Windows may deign to display the "Failed to enumerate objects in the container" error message even whilst utilizing an admin account to claim ownership of a file, folder, or drive. In such moments of distress, thou canst endeavor to wield the Command Prompt to establish dominion over the specific file or folder thou dost covet. To embark upon this quest, thou shalt first need to copy the full path of the file or folder in question. Let these steps be thy guide:

• Press Win + E to unfurl File Explorer.
• Locate the file or folder in question, bestow upon it a right-click, and select Copy as Path from the context menu.
• Press Win + S to summon the search menu.
• Utter the words Command Prompt in the text box and select Run as administrator.
• Profess Yes when the User Account Control (UAC) prompt doth appear.
• Enunciate the following command in the console, replacing FilePath with the path of the file or folder thou didst previously procure, and press Enter:
  takeown /F FilePath /r /d y

Upon completing the above steps, thy path to accessing and modifying the file or folder shall be untroubled by errors.

1. Temporarily Disable UAC
   An additional measure thou canst take to mend the "Failed to enumerate objects in the container" error is to temporarily disable User Account Control (UAC) upon thy Windows machine. Forsooth, to achieve this, heed these steps:

• Click the search icon upon the taskbar or strike the Windows key to unfurl the search box.
• Inscribe change user account control settings in the search box and press Enter.
• Drag the slider down to Never notify and click OK.
• Select Yes should the User Account Control (UAC) prompt maketh an appearance.

In thy endeavours to access or modify thy file, folder, or drive, observe closely should the error persist. Bear in mind that UAC is a protective feature that doth safeguard thy system from unauthorized transgressions, thus ‘twould be wise to restore its potency ere long.

1. Run CHKDSK, SFC, and DISM Scans
   Errors akin to "Failed to enumerate objects in the container" may also sprout forth from issues bedeviling the file system and core system files. Fear not, for Windows hath bestowed upon thee tools that may aid thee in rectifying such quandaries with ease. In this tale, thou shouldst set forth to run the CHKDSK (Check Disk), SFC (System File Checker), and DISM (Deployment Image Service and Management Tool) scans using the following steps:

• Press Win + S to reach the search menu.
• Inscribe Command Prompt in the text box and select Run as administrator.
• Engrave the following command, substituting c: with the drive letter wherein the file or folder dwelleth, and strike Enter:
  chkdsk c: /f /r
• Await the completion of the chkdsk pilgrimage.
• Now, inscribe the following command and deliver it unto the world:
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
• Once the odyssey concludes, pen the following command and beseech it to execute:
  sfc /scannow

Be patient as the scans shall conclude, then usher thy PC into a rejuvenated state. Henceforth, thou shalt not be plagued by further errors.

1. Try Safe Mode
   Should all other avenues of remedy remain sealed, contemplate the notion of setting forth on a journey that leads thee to boot thy Windows PC into safe mode, wherein only a modest selection of programs and drivers doth accompany thee. This transition shall grant thee access to modify the permissions of a file or folder sans interference from third-party apps and services, thereby circumventing any "Access Denied" errors upon Windows. Consult our guide on booting thy Windows PC in Safe Mode, then embark upon the steps to claim ownership of the file or folder once more. Should all else have faltered, let this advanced step be thy beacon in resolving this error.