diff --git a/agent/findkey.c b/agent/findkey.c
index fa9e5b548..dd39472a9 100644
--- a/agent/findkey.c
+++ b/agent/findkey.c
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ agent_write_private_key (const unsigned char *grip,
   /* FIXME: Write to a temp file first so that write failures during
      key updates won't lead to a key loss.  */
 
-  if (!force && !access (fname, F_OK))
+  if (!force && !gnupg_access (fname, F_OK))
     {
       log_error ("secret key file '%s' already exists\n", fname);
       xfree (fname);
@@ -1324,7 +1324,7 @@ agent_key_available (const unsigned char *grip)
 
   fname = make_filename (gnupg_homedir (), GNUPG_PRIVATE_KEYS_DIR,
                          hexgrip, NULL);
-  result = !access (fname, R_OK)? 0 : -1;
+  result = !gnupg_access (fname, R_OK)? 0 : -1;
   xfree (fname);
   return result;
 }
diff --git a/agent/trustlist.c b/agent/trustlist.c
index d91e92e07..087afbd51 100644
--- a/agent/trustlist.c
+++ b/agent/trustlist.c
@@ -185,6 +185,7 @@ read_one_trustfile (const char *fname, int allow_include,
         {
           char *etcname;
           gpg_error_t err2;
+          gpg_err_code_t ec;
 
           if (!allow_include)
             {
@@ -198,7 +199,7 @@ read_one_trustfile (const char *fname, int allow_include,
           if ( !strcmp (etcname, fname) ) /* Same file. */
             log_info (_("statement \"%s\" ignored in '%s', line %d\n"),
                       "include-default", fname, lnr);
-          else if ( access (etcname, F_OK) && errno == ENOENT )
+          else if ((ec=gnupg_access (etcname, F_OK)) && ec == GPG_ERR_ENOENT)
             {
               /* A non existent system trustlist is not an error.
                  Just print a note. */
@@ -336,6 +337,7 @@ read_trustfiles (void)
   size_t tablesize;
   char *fname;
   int allow_include = 1;
+  gpg_err_code_t ec;
 
   tablesize = 20;
   table = xtrycalloc (tablesize, sizeof *table);
@@ -351,13 +353,13 @@ read_trustfiles (void)
       return err;
     }
 
-  if ( access (fname, F_OK) )
+  if ((ec = gnupg_access (fname, F_OK)))
     {
-      if ( errno == ENOENT )
+      if ( ec == GPG_ERR_ENOENT )
         ; /* Silently ignore a non-existing trustfile.  */
       else
         {
-          err = gpg_error_from_syserror ();
+          err = gpg_error (ec);
           log_error (_("error opening '%s': %s\n"), fname, gpg_strerror (err));
         }
       xfree (fname);
@@ -601,6 +603,7 @@ gpg_error_t
 agent_marktrusted (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *name, const char *fpr, int flag)
 {
   gpg_error_t err = 0;
+  gpg_err_code_t ec;
   char *desc;
   char *fname;
   estream_t fp;
@@ -618,7 +621,7 @@ agent_marktrusted (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *name, const char *fpr, int flag)
   if (!fname)
     return gpg_error_from_syserror ();
 
-  if ( access (fname, W_OK) && errno != ENOENT)
+  if ((ec = access (fname, W_OK)) && ec != GPG_ERR_ENOENT)
     {
       xfree (fname);
       return gpg_error (GPG_ERR_EPERM);
@@ -751,12 +754,12 @@ agent_marktrusted (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *name, const char *fpr, int flag)
       xfree (nameformatted);
       return err;
     }
-  if ( access (fname, F_OK) && errno == ENOENT)
+  if ((ec = access (fname, F_OK)) && ec == GPG_ERR_ENOENT)
     {
       fp = es_fopen (fname, "wx,mode=-rw-r");
       if (!fp)
         {
-          err = gpg_error_from_syserror ();
+          err = gpg_error (ec);
           log_error ("can't create '%s': %s\n", fname, gpg_strerror (err));
           xfree (fname);
           unlock_trusttable ();
diff --git a/common/exechelp-posix.c b/common/exechelp-posix.c
index 2b724ce5f..b14410821 100644
--- a/common/exechelp-posix.c
+++ b/common/exechelp-posix.c
@@ -845,14 +845,15 @@ gpg_error_t
 gnupg_spawn_process_detached (const char *pgmname, const char *argv[],
                               const char *envp[] )
 {
+  gpg_err_code_t ec;
   pid_t pid;
   int i;
 
   if (getuid() != geteuid())
     return my_error (GPG_ERR_BUG);
 
-  if (access (pgmname, X_OK))
-    return my_error_from_syserror ();
+  if ((ec = gnupg_access (pgmname, X_OK)))
+    return gpg_err_make (default_errsource, ec);
 
   pid = fork ();
   if (pid == (pid_t)(-1))
diff --git a/common/exechelp-w32.c b/common/exechelp-w32.c
index be684caaa..a7897cbfc 100644
--- a/common/exechelp-w32.c
+++ b/common/exechelp-w32.c
@@ -866,13 +866,14 @@ gnupg_spawn_process_detached (const char *pgmname, const char *argv[],
   int cr_flags;
   char *cmdline;
   BOOL in_job = FALSE;
+  gpg_err_code_t ec;
 
 
   /* We don't use ENVP.  */
   (void)envp;
 
-  if (access (pgmname, X_OK))
-    return my_error_from_syserror ();
+  if ((ec = gnupg_access (pgmname, X_OK)))
+    return gpg_err_make (default_errsource, ec);
 
   /* Prepare security attributes.  */
   memset (&sec_attr, 0, sizeof sec_attr );
diff --git a/common/homedir.c b/common/homedir.c
index f0e5362ba..dd1575cd0 100644
--- a/common/homedir.c
+++ b/common/homedir.c
@@ -117,14 +117,16 @@ w32_try_mkdir (const char *dir)
 #endif
 
 
-/* This is a helper function to load a Windows function from either of
-   one DLLs. */
+/* This is a helper function to load and call a Windows function from
+ * either of one DLLs.  On success an UTF-8 file name is returned.
+ * ERRNO is _not_ set on error.  */
 #ifdef HAVE_W32_SYSTEM
-static HRESULT
-w32_shgetfolderpath (HWND a, int b, HANDLE c, DWORD d, LPSTR e)
+static char *
+w32_shgetfolderpath (HWND a, int b, HANDLE c, DWORD d)
 {
   static int initialized;
-  static HRESULT (WINAPI * func)(HWND,int,HANDLE,DWORD,LPSTR);
+  static HRESULT (WINAPI * func)(HWND,int,HANDLE,DWORD,LPWSTR);
+  wchar_t wfname[MAX_PATH];
 
   if (!initialized)
     {
@@ -139,7 +141,7 @@ w32_shgetfolderpath (HWND a, int b, HANDLE c, DWORD d, LPSTR e)
           handle = dlopen (dllnames[i], RTLD_LAZY);
           if (handle)
             {
-              func = dlsym (handle, "SHGetFolderPathA");
+              func = dlsym (handle, "SHGetFolderPathW");
               if (!func)
                 {
                   dlclose (handle);
@@ -149,10 +151,10 @@ w32_shgetfolderpath (HWND a, int b, HANDLE c, DWORD d, LPSTR e)
         }
     }
 
-  if (func)
-    return func (a,b,c,d,e);
+  if (func && func (a,b,c,d,wfname) >= 0)
+    return wchar_to_utf8 (wfname);
   else
-    return -1;
+    return NULL;
 }
 #endif /*HAVE_W32_SYSTEM*/
 
@@ -248,25 +250,17 @@ standard_homedir (void)
         }
       else
         {
-          char path[MAX_PATH];
+          char *path;
 
-          /* It might be better to use LOCAL_APPDATA because this is
-             defined as "non roaming" and thus more likely to be kept
-             locally.  For private keys this is desired.  However,
-             given that many users copy private keys anyway forth and
-             back, using a system roaming services might be better
-             than to let them do it manually.  A security conscious
-             user will anyway use the registry entry to have better
-             control.  */
-          if (w32_shgetfolderpath (NULL, CSIDL_APPDATA|CSIDL_FLAG_CREATE,
-                                   NULL, 0, path) >= 0)
+          path = w32_shgetfolderpath (NULL, CSIDL_APPDATA|CSIDL_FLAG_CREATE,
+                                      NULL, 0);
+          if (path)
             {
-              char *tmp = xmalloc (strlen (path) + 6 +1);
-              strcpy (stpcpy (tmp, path), "\\gnupg");
-              dir = tmp;
+              dir = xstrconcat (path, "\\gnupg", NULL);
+              xfree (path);
 
               /* Try to create the directory if it does not yet exists.  */
-              if (access (dir, F_OK))
+              if (gnupg_access (dir, F_OK))
                 w32_try_mkdir (dir);
             }
           else
@@ -360,10 +354,10 @@ check_portable_app (const char *dir)
   char *fname;
 
   fname = xstrconcat (dir, DIRSEP_S "gpgconf.exe", NULL);
-  if (!access (fname, F_OK))
+  if (!gnupg_access (fname, F_OK))
     {
       strcpy (fname + strlen (fname) - 3, "ctl");
-      if (!access (fname, F_OK))
+      if (!gnupg_access (fname, F_OK))
         {
           /* gpgconf.ctl file found.  Record this fact.  */
           w32_portable_app = 1;
@@ -440,7 +434,7 @@ w32_commondir (void)
   if (!dir)
     {
       const char *rdir;
-      char path[MAX_PATH];
+      char *path;
 
       /* Make sure that w32_rootdir has been called so that we are
          able to check the portable application flag.  The common dir
@@ -450,19 +444,17 @@ w32_commondir (void)
       if (w32_portable_app)
         return rdir;
 
-      if (w32_shgetfolderpath (NULL, CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA,
-                               NULL, 0, path) >= 0)
+      path = w32_shgetfolderpath (NULL, CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA, NULL, 0);
+      if (path)
         {
-          char *tmp = xmalloc (strlen (path) + 4 +1);
-          strcpy (stpcpy (tmp, path), "\\GNU");
-          dir = tmp;
+          dir = xstrconcat (path, "\\GNU", NULL);
           /* No auto create of the directory.  Either the installer or
-             the admin has to create these directories.  */
+           * the admin has to create these directories.  */
         }
       else
         {
-          /* Ooops: Not defined - probably an old Windows version.
-             Use the installation directory instead.  */
+          /* Folder not found or defined - probably an old Windows
+           * version.  Use the installation directory instead.  */
           dir = xstrdup (rdir);
         }
     }
@@ -903,7 +895,7 @@ gnupg_cachedir (void)
         }
       else
         {
-          char path[MAX_PATH];
+          char *path;
           const char *s1[] = { "GNU", "cache", "gnupg", NULL };
           int s1_len;
           const char **comp;
@@ -912,8 +904,10 @@ gnupg_cachedir (void)
           for (comp = s1; *comp; comp++)
             s1_len += 1 + strlen (*comp);
 
-          if (w32_shgetfolderpath (NULL, CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA|CSIDL_FLAG_CREATE,
-                                   NULL, 0, path) >= 0)
+          path = w32_shgetfolderpath (NULL,
+                                      CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA|CSIDL_FLAG_CREATE,
+                                      NULL, 0);
+          if (path)
             {
               char *tmp = xmalloc (strlen (path) + s1_len + 1);
               char *p;
@@ -924,11 +918,12 @@ gnupg_cachedir (void)
                   p = stpcpy (p, "\\");
                   p = stpcpy (p, *comp);
 
-                  if (access (tmp, F_OK))
+                  if (gnupg_access (tmp, F_OK))
                     w32_try_mkdir (tmp);
                 }
 
               dir = tmp;
+              xfree (path);
             }
           else
             {
@@ -1025,7 +1020,7 @@ get_default_pinentry_name (int reset)
           char *name2;
 
           name2 = xstrconcat (names[i].rfnc (), names[i].name, NULL);
-          if (!access (name2, F_OK))
+          if (!gnupg_access (name2, F_OK))
             {
               /* Use that pinentry.  */
               xfree (name);
diff --git a/common/sysutils.c b/common/sysutils.c
index 140d1d7be..99bc021f5 100644
--- a/common/sysutils.c
+++ b/common/sysutils.c
@@ -811,7 +811,7 @@ gnupg_mkdir (const char *name, const char *modestr)
 int
 gnupg_chdir (const char *name)
 {
-  /* Note that gpgrt_chdir also sets ERRNO in addition to returing an
+  /* Note that gpgrt_chdir also sets ERRNO in addition to returning an
    * gpg-error style error code.  */
   return gpgrt_chdir (name);
 }
@@ -1033,30 +1033,37 @@ gnupg_unsetenv (const char *name)
 
 
 /* Return the current working directory as a malloced string.  Return
-   NULL and sets ERRNo on error.  */
+   NULL and sets ERRNO on error.  */
 char *
 gnupg_getcwd (void)
 {
-  char *buffer;
-  size_t size = 100;
+  return gpgrt_getcwd ();
+}
 
-  for (;;)
+
+/* A simple wrapper around access.  NAME is expected to be utf8
+ * encoded.  This function returns an error code and sets ERRNO. */
+gpg_err_code_t
+gnupg_access (const char *name, int mode)
+{
+#if GPGRT_VERSION_NUMBER < 0x012800 /* 1.39 */
+# ifdef HAVE_W32_SYSTEM
+  wchar_t *wfname;
+
+  wfname = utf8_to_wchar (fname);
+  if (!wfname)
+    ec = gpg_err_code_from_syserror ();
+  else
     {
-      buffer = xtrymalloc (size+1);
-      if (!buffer)
-        return NULL;
-#ifdef HAVE_W32CE_SYSTEM
-      strcpy (buffer, "/");  /* Always "/".  */
-      return buffer;
-#else
-      if (getcwd (buffer, size) == buffer)
-        return buffer;
-      xfree (buffer);
-      if (errno != ERANGE)
-        return NULL;
-      size *= 2;
-#endif
+      ec = _waccess (wfname, mode)? gpg_err_code_from_syserror () : 0;
+      xfree (wfname);
     }
+# else
+  return access (name, mode)? gpg_err_code_from_syserror () : 0;
+# endif
+#else
+  return gpgrt_access (name, mode);
+#endif
 }
 
 
diff --git a/common/sysutils.h b/common/sysutils.h
index daded986f..12b45e47c 100644
--- a/common/sysutils.h
+++ b/common/sysutils.h
@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@ char *gnupg_mkdtemp (char *template);
 int  gnupg_setenv (const char *name, const char *value, int overwrite);
 int  gnupg_unsetenv (const char *name);
 char *gnupg_getcwd (void);
+gpg_err_code_t gnupg_access (const char *name, int mode);
 gpg_error_t gnupg_chuid (const char *user, int silent);
 char *gnupg_get_socket_name (int fd);
 int gnupg_fd_valid (int fd);
diff --git a/common/t-exectool.c b/common/t-exectool.c
index 9cea2d1be..e1fffdcaa 100644
--- a/common/t-exectool.c
+++ b/common/t-exectool.c
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ test_executing_true (void)
   char *result;
   size_t len;
 
+  /* Fixme: We should use gpgrt_access here.  */
   if (access (pgmname, X_OK))
     {
       if (access (alt_pgmname, X_OK))
diff --git a/dirmngr/certcache.c b/dirmngr/certcache.c
index 87f605eab..04da510a0 100644
--- a/dirmngr/certcache.c
+++ b/dirmngr/certcache.c
@@ -685,7 +685,7 @@ load_certs_from_system (void)
   gpg_error_t err = 0;
 
   for (idx=0; idx < DIM (table); idx++)
-    if (!access (table[idx].name, F_OK))
+    if (!gnupg_access (table[idx].name, F_OK))
       {
         /* Take the first available bundle.  */
         err = load_certs_from_file (table[idx].name, CERTTRUST_CLASS_SYSTEM, 0);
diff --git a/dirmngr/dirmngr.c b/dirmngr/dirmngr.c
index 3f07b2eac..a7b0cc051 100644
--- a/dirmngr/dirmngr.c
+++ b/dirmngr/dirmngr.c
@@ -1099,7 +1099,7 @@ main (int argc, char **argv)
           log_info (_("Note: '%s' is not considered an option\n"), argv[i]);
     }
 
-  if (!access ("/etc/"DIRMNGR_NAME, F_OK)
+  if (!gnupg_access ("/etc/"DIRMNGR_NAME, F_OK)
       && !strncmp (gnupg_homedir (), "/etc/", 5))
     log_info
       ("NOTE: DirMngr is now a proper part of %s.  The configuration and"
diff --git a/dirmngr/http.c b/dirmngr/http.c
index bfbc30276..f7f65303b 100644
--- a/dirmngr/http.c
+++ b/dirmngr/http.c
@@ -577,6 +577,7 @@ http_register_tls_callback (gpg_error_t (*cb)(http_t, http_session_t, int))
 void
 http_register_tls_ca (const char *fname)
 {
+  gpg_err_code_t ec;
   strlist_t sl;
 
   if (!fname)
@@ -588,9 +589,8 @@ http_register_tls_ca (const char *fname)
     {
       /* Warn if we can't access right now, but register it anyway in
          case it becomes accessible later */
-      if (access (fname, F_OK))
-        log_info (_("can't access '%s': %s\n"), fname,
-                  gpg_strerror (gpg_error_from_syserror()));
+      if ((ec = gnupg_access (fname, F_OK)))
+        log_info (_("can't access '%s': %s\n"), fname, gpg_strerror (ec));
       sl = add_to_strlist (&tls_ca_certlist, fname);
       if (*sl->d && !strcmp (sl->d + strlen (sl->d) - 4, ".pem"))
         sl->flags = 1;
@@ -606,6 +606,7 @@ http_register_tls_ca (const char *fname)
 void
 http_register_cfg_ca (const char *fname)
 {
+  gpg_err_code_t ec;
   strlist_t sl;
 
   if (!fname)
@@ -617,9 +618,8 @@ http_register_cfg_ca (const char *fname)
     {
       /* Warn if we can't access right now, but register it anyway in
          case it becomes accessible later */
-      if (access (fname, F_OK))
-        log_info (_("can't access '%s': %s\n"), fname,
-                  gpg_strerror (gpg_error_from_syserror()));
+      if ((ec = gnupg_access (fname, F_OK)))
+        log_info (_("can't access '%s': %s\n"), fname, gpg_strerror (ec));
       sl = add_to_strlist (&cfg_ca_certlist, fname);
       if (*sl->d && !strcmp (sl->d + strlen (sl->d) - 4, ".pem"))
         sl->flags = 1;
diff --git a/g10/gpg.c b/g10/gpg.c
index ac405a759..412867b91 100644
--- a/g10/gpg.c
+++ b/g10/gpg.c
@@ -4072,13 +4072,14 @@ main (int argc, char **argv)
       }
 
     /* Set the random seed file. */
-    if( use_random_seed ) {
-      char *p = make_filename (gnupg_homedir (), "random_seed", NULL );
-	gcry_control (GCRYCTL_SET_RANDOM_SEED_FILE, p);
-        if (!access (p, F_OK))
+    if (use_random_seed)
+      {
+        char *p = make_filename (gnupg_homedir (), "random_seed", NULL );
+        gcry_control (GCRYCTL_SET_RANDOM_SEED_FILE, p);
+        if (!gnupg_access (p, F_OK))
           register_secured_file (p);
 	xfree(p);
-    }
+      }
 
     /* If there is no command but the --fingerprint is given, default
        to the --list-keys command.  */
diff --git a/g10/keydb.c b/g10/keydb.c
index 66e7d9520..ddbab7300 100644
--- a/g10/keydb.c
+++ b/g10/keydb.c
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 
 #include "gpg.h"
 #include "../common/util.h"
+#include "../common/sysutils.h"
 #include "options.h"
 #include "main.h" /*try_make_homedir ()*/
 #include "packet.h"
@@ -211,6 +212,7 @@ keyblock_cache_clear (struct keydb_handle_s *hd)
 static gpg_error_t
 maybe_create_keyring_or_box (char *filename, int is_box, int force_create)
 {
+  gpg_err_code_t ec;
   dotlock_t lockhd = NULL;
   IOBUF iobuf;
   int rc;
@@ -221,8 +223,8 @@ maybe_create_keyring_or_box (char *filename, int is_box, int force_create)
   int save_slash;
 
   /* A quick test whether the filename already exists. */
-  if (!access (filename, F_OK))
-    return !access (filename, R_OK)? 0 : gpg_error (GPG_ERR_EACCES);
+  if (!gnupg_access (filename, F_OK))
+    return !gnupg_access (filename, R_OK)? 0 : gpg_error (GPG_ERR_EACCES);
 
   /* If we don't want to create a new file at all, there is no need to
      go any further - bail out right here.  */
@@ -257,9 +259,9 @@ maybe_create_keyring_or_box (char *filename, int is_box, int force_create)
           tried = 1;
           try_make_homedir (filename);
         }
-      if (access (filename, F_OK))
+      if ((ec = gnupg_access (filename, F_OK)))
         {
-          rc = gpg_error_from_syserror ();
+          rc = gpg_error (ec);
           *last_slash_in_filename = save_slash;
           goto leave;
         }
@@ -316,12 +318,12 @@ maybe_create_keyring_or_box (char *filename, int is_box, int force_create)
   if (rc)
     goto leave;
 
-  if (!access (filename, F_OK))
+  if (!gnupg_access (filename, F_OK))
     {
       rc = 0;  /* Okay, we may access the file now.  */
       goto leave;
     }
-  if (!access (bak_fname, F_OK) && !access (tmp_fname, F_OK))
+  if (!gnupg_access (bak_fname, F_OK) && !gnupg_access (tmp_fname, F_OK))
     {
       /* Very likely another process is updating a pubring.gpg and we
          should not create a pubring.kbx.  */
diff --git a/g10/keyring.c b/g10/keyring.c
index 9cd66db3a..f9ac83615 100644
--- a/g10/keyring.c
+++ b/g10/keyring.c
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ keyring_is_writable (void *token)
 {
   KR_RESOURCE r = token;
 
-  return r? (r->read_only || !access (r->fname, W_OK)) : 0;
+  return r? (r->read_only || !gnupg_access (r->fname, W_OK)) : 0;
 }
 
 
@@ -1601,6 +1601,7 @@ static int
 do_copy (int mode, const char *fname, KBNODE root,
          off_t start_offset, unsigned int n_packets )
 {
+    gpg_err_code_t ec;
     IOBUF fp, newfp;
     int rc=0;
     char *bakfname = NULL;
@@ -1608,8 +1609,8 @@ do_copy (int mode, const char *fname, KBNODE root,
 
     /* Open the source file. Because we do a rename, we have to check the
        permissions of the file */
-    if (access (fname, W_OK))
-      return gpg_error_from_syserror ();
+    if ((ec = gnupg_access (fname, W_OK)))
+      return gpg_error (ec);
 
     fp = iobuf_open (fname);
     if (mode == 1 && !fp && errno == ENOENT) {
diff --git a/g10/migrate.c b/g10/migrate.c
index c52c67a77..9045ae66e 100644
--- a/g10/migrate.c
+++ b/g10/migrate.c
@@ -50,10 +50,10 @@ migrate_secring (ctrl_t ctrl)
   char *agent_version = NULL;
 
   secring = make_filename (gnupg_homedir (), "secring" EXTSEP_S "gpg", NULL);
-  if (access (secring, F_OK))
+  if (gnupg_access (secring, F_OK))
     goto leave; /* Does not exist or is not readable.  */
   flagfile = make_filename (gnupg_homedir (), V21_MIGRATION_FNAME, NULL);
-  if (!access (flagfile, F_OK))
+  if (!gnupg_access (flagfile, F_OK))
     goto leave; /* Does exist - fine.  */
 
   log_info ("starting migration from earlier GnuPG versions\n");
diff --git a/g10/openfile.c b/g10/openfile.c
index f4730da22..424fd9114 100644
--- a/g10/openfile.c
+++ b/g10/openfile.c
@@ -326,7 +326,7 @@ get_matching_datafile (const char *sigfilename)
 
       fname = xstrdup (sigfilename);
       fname[len-(fname[len-1]=='n'?5:4)] = 0 ;
-      if (access (fname, R_OK ))
+      if (gnupg_access (fname, R_OK ))
         {
           /* Not found or other error.  */
           xfree (fname);
diff --git a/g10/tdbio.c b/g10/tdbio.c
index 9f01667b4..2b2944fdd 100644
--- a/g10/tdbio.c
+++ b/g10/tdbio.c
@@ -711,17 +711,19 @@ tdbio_set_dbname (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *new_dbname,
   log_assert (p);
   save_slash = *p;
   *p = 0;
-  if (access (fname, F_OK))
+  if (gnupg_access (fname, F_OK))
     {
       try_make_homedir (fname);
-      if (access (fname, F_OK))
+      if (gnupg_access (fname, F_OK))
         log_fatal (_("%s: directory does not exist!\n"), fname);
     }
   *p = save_slash;
 
   take_write_lock ();
 
-  if (access (fname, R_OK) || stat (fname, &statbuf) || statbuf.st_size == 0)
+  if (gnupg_access (fname, R_OK)
+      || stat (fname, &statbuf)
+      || statbuf.st_size == 0)
     {
       FILE *fp;
       TRUSTREC rec;
diff --git a/g13/backend.c b/g13/backend.c
index 835c66be4..71cd6ffc1 100644
--- a/g13/backend.c
+++ b/g13/backend.c
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 
 #include "g13.h"
 #include "../common/i18n.h"
+#include "../common/sysutils.h"
 #include "keyblob.h"
 #include "backend.h"
 #include "be-encfs.h"
@@ -116,7 +117,7 @@ be_take_lock_for_create (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *fname, dotlock_t *r_lock)
 
   /* A quick check to see that no container with that name already
      exists.  */
-  if (!access (fname, F_OK))
+  if (!gnupg_access (fname, F_OK))
     {
       err = gpg_error (GPG_ERR_EEXIST);
       goto leave;
diff --git a/g13/g13-syshelp.c b/g13/g13-syshelp.c
index d65f26b2f..4bfd927a7 100644
--- a/g13/g13-syshelp.c
+++ b/g13/g13-syshelp.c
@@ -581,7 +581,7 @@ g13_syshelp_i_know_what_i_am_doing (void)
   char *fname;
 
   fname = make_filename (gnupg_sysconfdir (), yesfile, NULL);
-  if (access (fname, F_OK))
+  if (gnupg_access (fname, F_OK))
     {
       log_info ("*******************************************************\n");
       log_info ("* The G13 support for DM-Crypt is new and not matured.\n");
diff --git a/g13/mount.c b/g13/mount.c
index dc415b12d..bee47fbd5 100644
--- a/g13/mount.c
+++ b/g13/mount.c
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ g13_mount_container (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *filename, const char *mountpoint)
   else
     {
       /* A quick check to see whether we can the container exists.  */
-      if (access (filename, R_OK))
+      if (gnupg_access (filename, R_OK))
         return gpg_error_from_syserror ();
     }
 
diff --git a/g13/suspend.c b/g13/suspend.c
index 0aa20f01c..44c52ddc5 100644
--- a/g13/suspend.c
+++ b/g13/suspend.c
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 
 #include "g13.h"
 #include "../common/i18n.h"
+#include "../common/sysutils.h"
 #include "suspend.h"
 
 #include "keyblob.h"
@@ -45,7 +46,7 @@ g13_suspend_container (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *filename)
   int needs_syshelp;
 
   /* A quick check to see whether the container exists.  */
-  if (access (filename, R_OK))
+  if (gnupg_access (filename, R_OK))
     return gpg_error_from_syserror ();
 
   /* Decide whether we need to use the g13-syshelp because we can't
@@ -80,7 +81,7 @@ g13_resume_container (ctrl_t ctrl, const char *filename)
   char *mountpoint_buffer = NULL;
 
   /* A quick check to see whether the container exists.  */
-  if (access (filename, R_OK))
+  if (gnupg_access (filename, R_OK))
     return gpg_error_from_syserror ();
 
   /* Decide whether we need to use the g13-syshelp because we can't
diff --git a/kbx/keybox-init.c b/kbx/keybox-init.c
index 2223f4d15..248a0a543 100644
--- a/kbx/keybox-init.c
+++ b/kbx/keybox-init.c
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #include <assert.h>
 
 #include "keybox-defs.h"
+#include "../common/sysutils.h"
 #include "../common/mischelp.h"
 
 static KB_NAME kb_names;
@@ -80,7 +81,7 @@ keybox_is_writable (void *token)
 {
   KB_NAME r = token;
 
-  return r? !access (r->fname, W_OK) : 0;
+  return r? !gnupg_access (r->fname, W_OK) : 0;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/kbx/keybox-update.c b/kbx/keybox-update.c
index fbcaec7b9..e263bc3d6 100644
--- a/kbx/keybox-update.c
+++ b/kbx/keybox-update.c
@@ -161,6 +161,7 @@ static int
 blob_filecopy (int mode, const char *fname, KEYBOXBLOB blob,
                int secret, int for_openpgp, off_t start_offset)
 {
+  gpg_err_code_t ec;
   FILE *fp, *newfp;
   int rc=0;
   char *bakfname = NULL;
@@ -170,8 +171,8 @@ blob_filecopy (int mode, const char *fname, KEYBOXBLOB blob,
 
   /* Open the source file. Because we do a rename, we have to check the
      permissions of the file */
-  if (access (fname, W_OK))
-    return gpg_error_from_syserror ();
+  if ((ec = gnupg_access (fname, W_OK)))
+    return gpg_error (ec);
 
   fp = fopen (fname, "rb");
   if (mode == FILECOPY_INSERT && !fp && errno == ENOENT)
@@ -626,6 +627,7 @@ keybox_delete (KEYBOX_HANDLE hd)
 int
 keybox_compress (KEYBOX_HANDLE hd)
 {
+  gpg_err_code_t ec;
   int read_rc, rc;
   const char *fname;
   FILE *fp, *newfp;
@@ -651,8 +653,8 @@ keybox_compress (KEYBOX_HANDLE hd)
 
   /* Open the source file. Because we do a rename, we have to check the
      permissions of the file */
-  if (access (fname, W_OK))
-    return gpg_error_from_syserror ();
+  if ((ec = gnupg_access (fname, W_OK)))
+    return gpg_error (ec);
 
   fp = fopen (fname, "rb");
   if (!fp && errno == ENOENT)
diff --git a/sm/gpgsm.c b/sm/gpgsm.c
index cc3aa5d6a..ef5f801c8 100644
--- a/sm/gpgsm.c
+++ b/sm/gpgsm.c
@@ -1807,7 +1807,7 @@ main ( int argc, char **argv)
 
           filelist[0] = make_filename (gnupg_datadir (),"com-certs.pem", NULL);
           filelist[1] = NULL;
-          if (!access (filelist[0], F_OK))
+          if (!gnupg_access (filelist[0], F_OK))
             {
               log_info (_("importing common certificates '%s'\n"),
                         filelist[0]);
diff --git a/sm/keydb.c b/sm/keydb.c
index e6b7a5b23..af8bf8629 100644
--- a/sm/keydb.c
+++ b/sm/keydb.c
@@ -206,6 +206,7 @@ try_make_homedir (const char *fname)
 static gpg_error_t
 maybe_create_keybox (char *filename, int force, int *r_created)
 {
+  gpg_err_code_t ec;
   dotlock_t lockhd = NULL;
   FILE *fp;
   int rc;
@@ -217,8 +218,8 @@ maybe_create_keybox (char *filename, int force, int *r_created)
     *r_created = 0;
 
   /* A quick test whether the filename already exists. */
-  if (!access (filename, F_OK))
-    return !access (filename, R_OK)? 0 : gpg_error (GPG_ERR_EACCES);
+  if (!gnupg_access (filename, F_OK))
+    return !gnupg_access (filename, R_OK)? 0 : gpg_error (GPG_ERR_EACCES);
 
   /* If we don't want to create a new file at all, there is no need to
      go any further - bail out right here.  */
@@ -253,9 +254,9 @@ maybe_create_keybox (char *filename, int force, int *r_created)
           tried = 1;
           try_make_homedir (filename);
         }
-      if (access (filename, F_OK))
+      if ((ec = gnupg_access (filename, F_OK)))
         {
-          rc = gpg_error_from_syserror ();
+          rc = gpg_error (ec);
           *last_slash_in_filename = save_slash;
           goto leave;
         }
diff --git a/tools/gpg-wks-server.c b/tools/gpg-wks-server.c
index 967572581..32cd46530 100644
--- a/tools/gpg-wks-server.c
+++ b/tools/gpg-wks-server.c
@@ -1182,7 +1182,7 @@ process_new_key (server_ctx_t ctx, estream_t key)
           goto leave;
         }
 
-      if (access (dname, W_OK))
+      if (gnupg_access (dname, W_OK))
         {
           log_info ("skipping address '%s': Domain not configured\n", sl->mbox);
           continue;
@@ -1459,7 +1459,7 @@ check_and_publish (server_ctx_t ctx, const char *address, const char *nonce)
       err = gpg_error_from_syserror ();
       goto leave;
     }
-  if (!access (fnewname, W_OK))
+  if (!gnupg_access (fnewname, W_OK))
     {
       /* Yes, we have a dane directory.  */
       s = strchr (address, '@');
@@ -1795,7 +1795,7 @@ command_list_domains (void)
     { "pending", "-rwx" },
     { "hu",      "-rwxr-xr-x" }
   };
-
+  gpg_err_code_t ec;
   gpg_error_t err;
   strlist_t domaindirs;
   strlist_t sl;
@@ -1832,9 +1832,9 @@ command_list_domains (void)
               err = gpg_error_from_syserror ();
               goto leave;
             }
-          if (access (fname, W_OK))
+          if ((ec = gnupg_access (fname, W_OK)))
             {
-              err = gpg_error_from_syserror ();
+              err = gpg_error (ec);
               if (gpg_err_code (err) == GPG_ERR_ENOENT)
                 {
                   if (gnupg_mkdir (fname, requireddirs[i].perm))
@@ -1862,9 +1862,9 @@ command_list_domains (void)
           err = gpg_error_from_syserror ();
           goto leave;
         }
-      if (access (fname, F_OK))
+      if ((ec = gnupg_access (fname, F_OK)))
         {
-          err = gpg_error_from_syserror ();
+          err = gpg_error (ec);
           if (gpg_err_code (err) == GPG_ERR_ENOENT)
             log_error ("domain %s: submission address not configured\n",
                        domain);
@@ -1941,6 +1941,7 @@ command_cron (void)
 static gpg_error_t
 command_check_key (const char *userid)
 {
+  gpg_err_code_t ec;
   gpg_error_t err;
   char *addrspec = NULL;
   char *fname = NULL;
@@ -1949,9 +1950,9 @@ command_check_key (const char *userid)
   if (err)
     goto leave;
 
-  if (access (fname, R_OK))
+  if ((ec = gnupg_access (fname, R_OK)))
     {
-      err = gpg_error_from_syserror ();
+      err = gpg_error (ec);
       if (opt_with_file)
         es_printf ("%s n %s\n", addrspec, fname);
       if (gpg_err_code (err) == GPG_ERR_ENOENT)
diff --git a/tools/gpgconf-comp.c b/tools/gpgconf-comp.c
index dacc53328..5efe6e50a 100644
--- a/tools/gpgconf-comp.c
+++ b/tools/gpgconf-comp.c
@@ -1581,7 +1581,7 @@ retrieve_options_from_program (gc_component_id_t component, int only_installed)
              ? gnupg_module_name (gc_component[component].module_name)
              : gc_component[component].program );
 
-  if (only_installed && access (pgmname, X_OK))
+  if (only_installed && gnupg_access (pgmname, X_OK))
     {
       return;  /* The component is not installed.  */
     }
@@ -3230,7 +3230,7 @@ gc_apply_profile (const char *fname)
        * is installed and use that instead of the given file name.  */
       fname_buffer = xstrconcat (gnupg_datadir (), DIRSEP_S,
                                  fname, ".prf", NULL);
-      if (!access (fname_buffer, F_OK))
+      if (!gnupg_access (fname_buffer, F_OK))
         fname = fname_buffer;
     }
 
diff --git a/tools/wks-util.c b/tools/wks-util.c
index 30461f850..1706c694a 100644
--- a/tools/wks-util.c
+++ b/tools/wks-util.c
@@ -873,6 +873,7 @@ wks_compute_hu_fname (char **r_fname, const char *addrspec)
 static gpg_error_t
 ensure_policy_file (const char *addrspec)
 {
+  gpg_err_code_t ec;
   gpg_error_t err;
   const char *domain;
   char *fname;
@@ -890,12 +891,12 @@ ensure_policy_file (const char *addrspec)
     goto leave;
 
   /* First a quick check whether it already exists.  */
-  if (!access (fname, F_OK))
+  if (!(ec = gnupg_access (fname, F_OK)))
     {
       err = 0; /* File already exists.  */
       goto leave;
     }
-  err = gpg_error_from_syserror ();
+  err = gpg_error (ec);
   if (gpg_err_code (err) == GPG_ERR_ENOENT)
     err = 0;
   else