Can't open temp file for writing!

Question

Hi all,

I'm trying to play a video game. Upon loading the game I'm shown an error message: "Can't open temp file for writing!". I've tried everything that I could think of/find online. I just don't have permission to write to that folder. I did a clean install of Windows 10 and same problem. I am the only person that uses this PC and my account has admin rights yet if I right click on C:/Windows - Properties - Security // I don't have write permission and I can't change any of the entities's permissions. If I try unchecking the readonly checkbox of the folder I'm again told that I need administrator permission in order to change anything. This is getting really frustrating as I've spent several hours already trying to fix it. How is that as an owner and sole user of my PC I don't have permissions to play a game?

Answer 1

Hi Nem

Open Windows Defender Security Center

Go to Virus & threat protection - Virus & threat protection settings

Scroll down to Controlled folder access

Temporarily turn off Controlled Folder Access and check to see if the game can write the temp file in that location

If so, from there, you can add that game to the list of safe or allowed apps to prevent them from being blocked

Please do not leave Controlled Folder Access turned off permanently

Answer 2

I have tried that already. It doesn't fix it.

Answer 3

Hi Nem

What game are you trying to play and what is the temp location that game is trying to write to, that should not be in the Windows directory, the Windows Temp folder is located at C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Temp

If that is trying to write to C:\Windows\Temp, is it an old game and can you change the location it i saving temp data to?

Another option may be to re-direct the System Variables TEMP and TMP to a folder outside the Windows Directory as shown below:

.

Answer 4

Hi,

I'm trying to play GTA San Andreas Multiplayer (SA-MP 0.3.DL). It requires downloading custom models for different servers.

I tried changing the System Variables path to the same disk that the game is on but that didn't help.