windows 7 64 home premium. Error 5: Access denied

I have finally found a way to get rid of pesky “Error 5: Permission denied” which appeared every time I tried to install new software in Windows 7 Pro. I have no idea when and how exactly problem started but it seems that it roughly coincided with installation of home network printer. 

Not only I could not install software but automatic updates were also unable to get installed properly. 

I was the only user and I did have Administrator privileges, no viruses could be detected with any of several different AV programs I tried… Yet, “Temp” directory used for software installation was somehow inaccessible during updates or software installation which resulted in mentioned error.

Simple deleting problem “Temp” and creating new “Temp” directory of the same name and location did not work for me. None of the other solutions I have found online were successful in resolving my problem either, till I used below described procedure.

I am sure there are different ways to resolve this but what resolved the problem for me was to create new Admin user and copy “Temp” directory under:

C:\Users<Type your Admin user name here>\AppData\Local\

Here are general steps to resolve the problem (for a bit less experienced users, more detailed steps are given below general steps) 

General steps:

• Create new user
• Give the new user Administrator privileges
• Show  hidden files for “new” user
• Show hidden files for “problem” user
• Log off from “Problem” user  and log on as newly created user
• Copy above mentioned “Temp” directory from “new” user to “problem” user

More detailed steps:

Create new user with administrator privileges (while logged on as “problem” Admin user).  (see official Microsoft tutorial here):

• click  the Start button,
• click Control Panel,
• click User Accounts.
• Click Manage another account. (If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation).
• Click Create a new account.
• Type the name you want to give the user account, select “Administrator” button, and then click Create Account.

Now that you created new user account with Admin privileges you first need to log on as the new user and then you need to copy “Temp” directory from that user to the one you had problem with. So go ahead and Log on as newly created user.

After you have logged on as newly created user you can make hidden folders visible (including “Temp” folder you want to copy). If you are already able to see this directory, you can skip the next steps.

• Open Folder Options by clicking the Start button,
• click Computer,
• navigate to C:\Users<Type your Admin (problem) user name here>\
• click Organize,
• click Folder and Search Options,
• click the View tab.
• Under Advanced settings, click Show hidden files, folders, and drives,
• Finally click OK.
• Repeat  above steps for newly created user so you can see hidden folders there as well

Once you did this you should be able to see all previously hidden folders and you should be able to navigate to:

C:\Users<Type your New Admin user name here>\AppData\Local\

Now copy “Temp” folder listed in the above directory 

Navigate to C:\Users<Type your Old (Problem) Admin user name here>\AppData\Local\

Delete “Temp” folder listed in the above directory

Paste “Temp” directory from C:\Users<Type your New Admin user name here>\AppData\Local\

Done!

Once you resolved the problem you can delete new user (or leave it on) – it’s up to you.

Please note this is what worked for me and I do not claim this will work for all nor this is even a “proper” solution. It just worked for me and I hope it will work for others…

And the last but not least: I am not Windows 7 expert and cannot help with other issues.

I have tried every fix suggested here and the automatic fix, have purchased programs to repair and tried the FIXIT several times.  I still cannot start restart the installer due to Error 5: Access denied.

Hi,

Thank you detailed reply.

I would have you try to run the fixit and check.

Fix problems with programs that can't be installed or uninstalled

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/program_install_and_uninstall/

Please let us know the results so we may try to help you as soon as possible.