How to replace system file?

dsscottage · 18 Jun 2016

I have a major problem on my desktop Win 10 Pro X64 computer. I won't go into all the detail since I'm still problem solving on my own. However, I do need help with one issue so I can continue problem solving.

Part of the problem is that my mouse is not working and it really hard to navigate. The device manager reports that the driver is unable to load and may be damaged. Looking at the drivers, file hidclass.sys is 0KB and I suspect that is the problem with the mouse (that file is 152KB on my laptop). I've tried to update the driver but Windows tells me that I have the latest edition. Removing the drivers and uninstalling the device from within Device Manager didn't correct the issue. I've tried to connect a different mouse on a different USB port and also tried a wireless mouse but all failed.

Now I'm trying to manually delete the hidclass.sys file so a new version can be installed. However, I get a window telling me that I need permission from "TrustedInstaller" to do this. Every time I push "Try Again", end up with the same message.

Any idea how I can delete or update this driver?

NavyLCDR · 18 Jun 2016

Take ownership of the file.

Take ownership of files and get full access in Windows 10

dsscottage · 20 Jun 2016

NavyLCDR said:

Take ownership of the file.

Take ownership of files and get full access in Windows 10

I followed the instructions in the link but when I click (pressing enter since the mouse isn't working) on the "change" link of the "Advanced Security Settings" window, the Advanced Security Settings window closes. The "Select User or Group" window doesn't open.

I tried the same thing on my working laptop and it works as described in the link.

Then I connected to my desktop from my laptop using TeamViewer so I could use a mouse remotely. That seemed to partly work. I was able to change ownership to the same name that owns my data files. That worked.

Now when I try to delete the file, I get the message "You need permission to perform this action....". Pressing "try again" gives me the same result.

I also tried to copy a new version of the file with the same result.

Note:
-The owner name that I assigned to the system file is "userid@hotmail.com" which is the computer logon ID and the owner name of my data files.
-The "You need permission to perform this action" window says I need permission from "computername/username which is different from the logon id.
(In case this isn't clear, I won't use real names but my logon ID is "user@hotmail.com". My computer name is ASUS/User2.
-I tried to change ownership of the file to ASUS/User2 but it wouldn't accept that name.

Any ideas?

NavyLCDR · 20 Jun 2016

Change the actual security permission on the file to allow full access to "everyone".

You can also make a USB flash drive or CD/DVD of Kyhi's recovery drive and boot the computer from that. That should give you mouse usage again and might be able to work more with the troubled file from file explorer on Kyhi's recovery drive.

Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums

dsscottage · 20 Jun 2016

Thank you so much NavyLCDR

I did as you said and gave "everyone" "Full Control" and was able to delete the file.

After that, I moved a correct copy of "hidclass.sys" to the desktop, uninstalled the non working mouse hardware from device manager, then scanned for new hardware and the mouse is now working.

Now, I'm able to more readily pursue my major problem on the desktop. (If i'm unsuccessful, I may be back for more help!)

Thank you again. You are a star!

Slartybart · 20 Jun 2016

I think it might be easier to run the System File Checker (SFC) to correct system files.
I'm fairly certain that hidclass.sys is in the component database.

Command Prompt (Admin)

SFC /ScanNow