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Cannot install any new programs - Start menu has insufficient privileges!

Anonymous
2010-12-08T03:15:25+00:00

Okay, this has happened with every single program I have installed in the last week - this frustrates me to no end. I attempt to installanything that has to create a start menu shortcut - and I get all kinds of errors saying that I have insufficient privileges.

Installing Evernote today throws this message: 'The installer has insufficient privileges to access this directory: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Evernote. The installation cannot continue. Logon as administrator or contact your system administrator.

I am the computer administrator for this computer - so that rules out any User account issues.

So, is there a way that I can fix this without creating a new user profile? I have gigabytes worth of important info in My Documents that I really wish not to move :/

Thanks for your help!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Apps

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-12-08T15:38:27+00:00

    Hi jordsta,

    1.    Have you made any recent changes on the computer?

    This would happen if there is insufficient permissions set on the programdata folder on the computer.

    a)   Select Start > Computer.

    b)   Open the C: drive and locate the  ProgramData folder. If you do not see the ProgramData folder, take these additional steps to make it visible:

    a.    Select Organize > Folder and Search Options.

    b.    In the Folder Options window, select the  View tab.

    c.    In  Advanced Settings, select Show Hidden Files and Folders.

    d.    Click  OK to close the Folder Options window.

    c)    Right-click ProgramData and select Properties.

    d)   In the ProgramData Properties window, select the Security tab. Click Advanced.

    a.    Now click on Owner tab in Advance Security Settings for User windows

    b.    Click on Edit Button and select user from given Change Owner to list if user or group is not in given list then, click on other users or groups. Enter name of user/group and click ok.

    c.    Now select User/group and click apply and ok. (Check “Replace owner on sub containers and objects” if you have files and folder within selected folder)

    d.    Click ok when Windows Security Prompt is displayed

    e.    Now Owner name must have changed.

    f.     Now click Ok to exist from Properties windows

    g.    Once you have taken the ownership of file or folder

    e)   Grant Permissions to everyone-

    a.    Go to C: and then right click on folder and choose  properties.

    b.    Then go to  security tab and click Edit then click  Add => Advanced.

    c.    If you click on advanced now click on Find Now and choose  everyone and click  Ok.

    d.    Then again click Okand now click on  Allow =>  Full control => Ok.

     system settings incorrectly

    Now try to install the programs or software and check if it works.

    Hope this helps!

    Halima S   - Microsoft Support.

    Visit our  Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-09-23T17:18:02+00:00

    Thank You

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-08-23T15:02:18+00:00

    Same here. So annoying. I've given every permission I can to this folder.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-06-17T13:42:08+00:00

    I have the same problems now.

    Everytime I need to update a program like iTunes or Evernote using the automated update proces I get the same error message. I need to uninstall the installed versions first, reboot and do the new install. Then it's okay but I will loose sometimes settings because of this. Really annoying. Anyone with the solution to fix this behaviour?

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-01-28T11:05:53+00:00

    Hello Halima,

    unfortunately when I try re-setting the permissions for the folder and all of it's subfolders, an error message pops up. It seems like I cannot change the permissions for the folder that is creating the problems, not even as an admnistrator. Strangely enough, I did all this as an administrator on the computer.

    Thanks for your support.

    Daniel

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