ERROR_DS_SENSITIVE_GROUP_VIOLATION 0x80072139

Error code 8505 · HRESULT 0x80072139

WINDOWS

Only an administrator can modify the membership list of an administrative group.

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_SENSITIVE_GROUP_VIOLATION is a Windows error code (system error 8505, returned as HRESULT 0x80072139) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “Only an administrator can modify the membership list of an administrative group.”

How to fix ERROR_DS_SENSITIVE_GROUP_VIOLATION

  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_CANT_MOD_PRIMARYGROUPIDERROR_DS_SAM_INIT_FAILUREERROR_DS_COULDNT_IDENTIFY_OBJECTS_FOR_TREE_DELETEERROR_DS_ILLEGAL_BASE_SCHEMA_MODERROR_DS_COULDNT_LOCK_TREE_FOR_DELETEERROR_DS_NONSAFE_SCHEMA_CHANGEERROR_DS_NO_TREE_DELETE_ABOVE_NC

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

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