ERROR_DS_SECURITY_ILLEGAL_MODIFY 0x800720E7

Error code 8423 · HRESULT 0x800720E7

WINDOWS

The modification was not permitted for security reasons.

Windows troubleshooting diagram: Device Manager warning and a system file scan
Windows errors: check drivers, system files and Event Viewer, in that order.

What it means

ERROR_DS_SECURITY_ILLEGAL_MODIFY is a Windows error code (system error 8423, returned as HRESULT 0x800720E7) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “The modification was not permitted for security reasons.”

How to fix ERROR_DS_SECURITY_ILLEGAL_MODIFY

  1. Reboot once — many one-off system codes disappear with a clean restart
  2. Repair system files: 'sfc /scannow' then 'DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth'
  3. Find the source in Event Viewer → System: filter for this exact code and open its provider link

Related errors

ERROR_DS_SECURITY_CHECKING_ERRORERROR_DS_CANT_REPLACE_HIDDEN_RECERROR_DS_CANT_RETRIEVE_CHILDERROR_DS_BAD_HIERARCHY_FILEERROR_DS_CANT_FIND_NC_IN_CACHEERROR_DS_CANT_FIND_EXPECTED_NCERROR_DS_BUILD_HIERARCHY_TABLE_FAILED

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

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