Cannot bulk load. Operating system error code 5 (Access is denied.)

I had the same problem SSIS 2012 and the solution was to use Windows Authentication. I was using SQL authentication with the sa user.

Try giving the folder(s) containing the CSV and Format File read permissions for ‘MSSQLSERVER’ user (or whatever user the SQL Server service is set to Log On As in Windows Services)

This error appears when you are using SQL Server Authentication and SQL Server is not allowed to access the bulk load folder.

So giving SQL server access to the folder will solve the issue.

Here is how to: Go to the folder right click ->properties->Security tab->Edit->Add(on the new window) ->Advanced -> Find Now. Under the users list in the search results, find something like SQLServerMSSQLUser$UserName$SQLExpress and click ok, to all the dialogs opened.

I don't think reinstalling SQL Server is going to fix this, it's just going to kill some time.

1. Confirm that your user account has read privileges to the folder in question.
2. Use a tool like Process Monitor to see what user is actually trying to access the file.

3. My guess is that it is not Michael-PC\Michael that is trying to access the file, but rather the SQL Server service account. If this is the case, then you have at least three options (but probably others):

   a. Set the SQL Server service to run as you.
   b. Grant the SQL Server service account explicit access to that folder.
   c. Put the files somewhere more logical where SQL Server has access, or can be made to have access (e.g. C:\bulk\).

I suggest these things assuming that this is a contained, local workstation. There are definitely more serious security concerns around local filesystem access from SQL Server when we're talking about a production machine, of course this can still be largely mitigated by using c. above - and only giving the service account access to the folders you want it to be able to touch.