On my Windows 7 and Windows Vista system I have a batch file in the root folder of my C: drive. I discovered a neat trick where you can just type on the command prompt:
notepad name_of_the_file
and Windows will open the file in Notepad.
Anyways I wanted to create a new batch file (let's say b.bat) from the original one (a.bat). I opened a.bat w/ Notepad, made my changes, but when I went to save the file on C:\ I got the error message:
"You don't have permission to save in this location. Contact the administrator to obtain permission."
What in the world? I am the administrator. Oddly enough, however, if I saved the file somewhere else instead and then copy the file to C:\ it'd work. No doubt this is one of Windows 7 and Windows Vista's new security features- not allowing direct access to the root folder, and when you want to copy a file there you need to give explicit permission for the file operation.
21 comments:
Anonymous said...
That certainly is annoying! Is there any workaround for this (to allow an administrator to access the root)?
June 13, 2007 6:26 PM
Tech Journalist said...
After using Vista for a while now I've figured it out. Apparently this is because by default Notepad (and pretty much every other program) doesn't run with Admin privileges. So if you right-click on the Notepad shortcut, then select "Run as administrator" you would be able to save the file in the C: folder.
June 13, 2007 9:43 PM
Raymundus Butarbutar said...
Hi, I'm having the same problem too.
Except, I'm trying to save files to c: from the internet (i'm trying to download a program). Do you know how to solve this issue?
Thanks
September 15, 2007 10:51 PM
Tech Journalist said...
One way is to disable UAC all together- which is what I've done since as an experienced user I've found UAC is too much of a hassle. It may be a good thing for a novice user, but when you know what you're doing it's a nuisance.
So run "msconfig", go to the Tools tab, scroll down and select "Disable UAC", then click the "Launch" button. After a reboot you should be able to save files to the C: folder.
September 16, 2007 12:50 AM
Raymundus Butarbutar said...
Thanks a bunch!
September 23, 2007 2:51 AM
Ed Damas said...
The problem with what Tech Journalist recommended is that after you reboot, you will be in safe mode and Vista will want you to reboot in normal mode, canceling whatever change you did
November 25, 2007 10:44 PM
Caityb said...
I'm having this same problem with downloading to an external drive.
Does turning the account to roaming account help at all?
I tried to make my account a roaming account by going to control panel ->user accounts->configure advanced user properties, but the roaming option is grayed out. It will only let me stay local. I went to the first administrator account to see if that would make a difference and it didn't.
December 25, 2007 12:32 PM
mick said...
If you create a new folder on your external drive and then save anything you want to that it will allow it. Vista just won't allow you to save directly to a drive letter(e.g. G:) as the security implications are too high. SLight irritation I know but it does stop root folder access.
January 21, 2008 12:20 PM
Anonymous said...
Do as techjournalist said - disable UAC altogether. I did so, rebooted, and no more aggravation (at least for this issue (sigh))
February 13, 2008 12:53 PM
Anonymous said...
Thank you so much this helped me. I was trying to make my website through notepad and it wouldn't letme save in the folder I wanted to. Thanks again!
February 16, 2008 4:58 PM
Anonymous said...
Tech Journalist
So run "msconfig", go to the Tools tab, scroll down and select "Disable UAC", then click the "Launch" button. After a reboot you should be able to save files to the C: folder.
After doing this I get 2 of everything I save to my desktop. I turned UAC back on and I'm back to square one. Any Ideas?
February 18, 2008 10:41 AM
Anton said...
Hi guys i had the same problem with the external hard drive. I found the problem and its simple.
1. go to computer where the list of drives are.
2. right click on the external drive.
3. click properties.
4. click the security tab.
5. you will find a list of names ie...everybody...admin..etc. Find ''to change permissions click edit''
6. Click in all those little boxes so you give yourself all the perks as admin.
7. click apply....then it runs a little check...the press ok.
8. All is sorted....you are free to store files on your external drive.
good luck!!!
February 28, 2008 2:53 PM
sarah said...
Thank you mick! (If you create a new folder on your external drive and then save anything you want to that it will allow it.)
vista is so ridiculous!!?!
January 11, 2009 8:41 AM
Clint said...
Thanks to Mick for the work-around and thanks to Anton for the fix! It works perfect now!
June 4, 2009 11:43 AM
Kate said...
Tried this fix but after clicking allow for all of the boxes, I get a window telling me, "An error occured while applying security information to.." whatever file I try.
I have never had anything to compare with Vista for sucking up valuable time. What a joke.
August 5, 2009 3:51 PM
Wtf? said...
...
1. All the privledges of all the users on my computer are on.
2. I HAVE to save this file in System32.
3. I don't want to risk getting x2 of everything I have.
I've gone to the first 20 results of my search to try to fix it, no help...
October 28, 2009 11:17 AM
nmharleyrider said...
If you are in Windows 7, you can right click on the drive letter, select properties, click on "edit" anc change the permissions for each user. Give yourself "full control" and you will be able to save the files you want to easily.
December 14, 2009 11:22 AM
John said...
I found a helpful article that deals with this problem:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931277
Apparently, the problem has to do with installing Windows Vista/7 on a hard drive that was formatted using an earlier version of the Windows NTFS file system. The solution is to format again using Vista/7. I haven't tried this solution yet, but hopefully it helps.
December 19, 2009 9:00 PM
t said...
RE:
After using Vista for a while now I've figured it out. Apparently this is because by default Notepad (and pretty much every other program) doesn't run with Admin privileges. So if you right-click on the Notepad shortcut, then select "Run as administrator" you would be able to save the file in the C: folder.
It is important to note that after you select "Run as administrator" a new notepad will open up.
Copy and paste what you want to change in this new notepad, because opening a new notepad later, or trying to edit an existing notepad doesn't work.
It seems like the "run as administrator" ONLY works once, with the new notepad document which pops up.
January 8, 2010 6:10 AM
Alan said...
T: It's becuase you're not leaving it a permanent permission.
right click on the file and click on properties
click on the compatibility tab
check the box for "Always run as administrator"
Now from that shortcut, it'll always run as admin.
May 3, 2010 5:48 PM
ateeq said...
UAC disable solution worked
November 28, 2010 2:12 AM
