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What causes repeated "Error opening file for writing" occurences?

Anonymous
2017-07-24T14:53:08+00:00

Hi

For a couple of weeks now, I have noted that when installing a program that requires overwriting an existing folder or uninstalling programs, even with an installer like iObit Uninstaller, or in the first case where the program first wants to remove an existing version, when it comes to removing AT LEAST the application file, I get similar errors as shown in screenshot, to the effect there's an error opening file for writing.

In fact even portable programs that are not installed the Windows way, it used to suffice, as long as the application was not running to just delete the folder.

The reason cannot be the program running in the background.

In a number of cases, even after restarting the PC, trying to delete the folder has not helped, BUT after a while, it accepts removing the files that could not be deleted.

That has made made me be forced to install in different folders and later, when it allows remove the remnants of the previous program.

I'm sure none of the problems was there a while back.

What could be making Windows have a problem like above, as said, even when deleting portable programs, like Firefox or Thunderbird from Portableapps.com or those installed under Windows?

In the above case, I wanted to update an existing version of Glasswire and I never used to get such errors, now it's the norm, which is irritating.

Right now, I'm going to install a fresh version in another folder.

Will appreciate any help to identify & permanently deal with the cause.

Regards

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-07-24T18:16:55+00:00

    Hello,

    There are several factors that may cause this issue. One example is an issue with your account security permissions or compatibility of the apps. To better assist you, we suggest that you answer the following questions:   

    • Are you logged in as an administrator on your device?
    • Are there any recent changes on your device prior to this issue?
    • Which Windows 10 version and build are you using?
    • Have you tried running the Compatibility Troubleshooter? (Right click on the app> Properties> Click on Compatibility tab> Run Compatibility Troubleshooter)

    In the meantime, if you're installing a program, we suggest that you change the security permissions by:

    1. Locate the folder in which you’re trying to install the application.
    2. Once you’ve located the directory, right click it and choose Properties.
    3. Navigate to Security tab and click the Edit button.
    4. Select Users from the Group or user names and check under Permissions for Users section, check Write.
    5. Click OK and Apply.

    Looking forward to your response.

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2017-07-27T21:03:10+00:00

    We appreciate your response. If the steps provided above didn't work, you can repair your Windows 10 by downloading the Windows 10 installation media tool using this support website: Create Windows 10 installation media. You will have an option to Keep personal files and apps.

    Let us know how it goes.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2017-07-25T16:59:23+00:00

    Hi there

    Thank you for your response,

    There are several factors that may cause this issue. One example is an issue with your account security permissions or compatibility of the apps. To better assist you, we suggest that you answer the following questions:

    • Are you logged in as an administrator on your device?

    Yes

    • Are there any recent changes on your device prior to this issue?

    "Recent"? I use the laptop almost every single day and have always installed/uninstalled software, ever since I bought it 4 years ago, originally with Windows 8, => 8.1 & upgraded it to 10. a few months after it was made available.

    I have never had any such problem up to a few weeks ago, when I noticed that error was not a one-off but coming up it seems every time I performed the above-mentioned actions, ie that involved overwriting or deleting files of applications.

    Since I do not install/uninstall everyday, but relatively often, it's hard to know what triggered this. "Changes" have always taken place, none that detrimental or whose effects could not be identified & reversed.

    I used Windows 10 64Bit, Build 1607 for a long time with NO issue but after manually upgrading to Creators Update about a month ago & repeatedly getting WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR at times several times a day, and even getting no helpful solution in this forum as I had ALL available Windows & driver updates installed,  I reverted back to Build 1607.

    Before the manual upgrade to Creators update about a month ago, I had never had WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR, but after unistalling it, I have since then had it even with build 1607 about 3 times in a month. I'm sure something about the recent Windows Updates or with Creators Update have something to do with it, but cannot say what, esp. if you always have all available updates installed as soon as possible. Not sure what to do about it, as it comes without warning.

    Anyway "WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR" is unconnected to this specific issue, but had to be mentioned in connection to the build history, though I would welcome a solution.

    • Have you tried running the Compatibility Troubleshooter? (Right click on the app> Properties> Click on Compatibility tab> Run Compatibility Troubleshooter)

    Not yet BUT, I think all software concerned like the latest version of Glasswire above, or the latest/recent versions of Firefox & Thunderbird portable versions from portableapps.com (equivalent to those from Mozilla.com) & lots of others are all certainly compatible with Windows 10 AND, I never had this issue 2, 3 months ago, ever, whatever I installed.

    In the meantime, if you're installing a program, we suggest that you change the security permissions by:

    1. Locate the folder in which you’re trying to install the application.
    2. Once you’ve located the directory, right click it and choose Properties.
    3. Navigate to Security tab and click the Edit button.
    4. Select Users from the Group or user names and check under Permissions for Users section, check Write.
    5. Click OK and Apply.

    I will try it next time I have to do an installation involving overwriting an existing installation or an uninstall.

    BUT the question is, since this appears to be a universal issue, what triggered it across the board that I have to do this for each program I deal with?

    Is there any process that can reset this across Windows so folder permissions are standard?

    Thank you in advance

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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