Permission denied in file trying to import

When I try to use \i on a file that is not in the psql.exe folder it says C:: permission denied. For example I have a file with SQL command at C:\Users\Work\Desktop\School Work\load_database.sql and when I type \i "C:\Users\Work\Desktop\School Work\load_database.sql" it says C:: permission denied. How can I fix this?

I found a work around here where you copy the .sql file to the same folder as psql.exe is in.

By the way, does \i stand for import?

You've just run into a peculiarity of psql on Windows.

In my comment I just wanted to exclude the possibility that you really didn't have the necessary permission. Then it turned out that even on Windows, you have to use 'normal' slashes instead of backslashes, that is:

\i 'C:/Users/Work/Desktop/School Work/load_database.sql'

should work fine regardless which folder you start psql from. Notice that I used single quotes - with double quotes you'd got

"C:/Users/Work/Desktop/School Work/load_database.sql": Invalid argument

StackExchange Database Administrators Q#29767, answer score: 69