Program Files Read Only

Hi There

I have a serious problem to fix. I've written a WIndows Application
using visual studio 2008 that uses an Access database to hold data. I've
placed the database in the same folder as the executible "C:\Program
Files\MyApp\MyData.mdb". The program installs and work fine under XP and
but when installed and run under Vista, I'm getting file permission
errors. All user installation and running of the application is done as
the ADMINISTATOR, the only user profile created.

My eariler version of the application, written with VS 2005 installs
(DOT NET Framework 2.0) and works fine under Vista.

I can't change the database location, as eariler versions of this same
program have been running and working fine under XP. It would mean
changing the data file location for over 200 customers. It would cause a
great deal of head aches to modify the application to use a different
folder for the database.

SO here's my questions. What permissions do I need to get read/write
access to my data file? What steps can be taken to remove the security
attributes on my data file? Can I change these permissions from within
my application? The application exe file does have its compatibilities
property set to "Run as an administrator". Do I have to run the
application under compatibility mode of "Windows XP (Service pack 2)"?


--
Dweezil38

 

Not an answer, but its not a terribly good idea to hard code any data
location, or anything else, when writting an app, create a routine to locate
the data file, consign that to a variable, then use that variable for the
location

"Dweezil38" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message
news:9e83b17afa4c3a5b4383a02dff067831@nntp-gateway.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
> Hi There
>
> I have a serious problem to fix. I've written a WIndows Application
> using visual studio 2008 that uses an Access database to hold data. I've
> placed the database in the same folder as the executible "Crogram
> FilesMyAppMyData.mdb". The program installs and work fine under XP and
> but when installed and run under Vista, I'm getting file permission
> errors. All user installation and running of the application is done as
> the ADMINISTATOR, the only user profile created.
>
> My eariler version of the application, written with VS 2005 installs
> (DOT NET Framework 2.0) and works fine under Vista.
>
> I can't change the database location, as eariler versions of this same
> program have been running and working fine under XP. It would mean
> changing the data file location for over 200 customers. It would cause a
> great deal of head aches to modify the application to use a different
> folder for the database.
>
> SO here's my questions. What permissions do I need to get read/write
> access to my data file? What steps can be taken to remove the security
> attributes on my data file? Can I change these permissions from within
> my application? The application exe file does have its compatibilities
> property set to "Run as an administrator". Do I have to run the
> application under compatibility mode of "Windows XP (Service pack 2)"?
>
>
> --
> Dweezil38 <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

Dweezil38 wrote:<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Hi There
>
> I have a serious problem to fix. I've written a WIndows Application
> using visual studio 2008 that uses an Access database to hold data. I've
> placed the database in the same folder as the executible "Crogram
> FilesMyAppMyData.mdb". The program installs and work fine under XP and
> but when installed and run under Vista, I'm getting file permission
> errors. All user installation and running of the application is done as
> the ADMINISTATOR, the only user profile created.
>
> My eariler version of the application, written with VS 2005 installs
> (DOT NET Framework 2.0) and works fine under Vista.
>
> I can't change the database location, as eariler versions of this same
> program have been running and working fine under XP. It would mean
> changing the data file location for over 200 customers. It would cause a
> great deal of head aches to modify the application to use a different
> folder for the database.
>
> SO here's my questions. What permissions do I need to get read/write
> access to my data file? What steps can be taken to remove the security
> attributes on my data file? Can I change these permissions from within
> my application? The application exe file does have its compatibilities
> property set to "Run as an administrator". Do I have to run the
> application under compatibility mode of "Windows XP (Service pack 2)"?
>
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->


Data should never be saved in the C:\Programs Files area. That's very
poor practice. I'd suggest you fix the application. As it is, you
cannot even honestly claim that the application is WinXP-compatible,
much less Vista-compatible.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:




They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

Dweezil38 wrote:<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> ...
> SO here's my questions. What permissions do I need to get read/write
> access to my data file? What steps can be taken to remove the security
> attributes on my data file? Can I change these permissions from within
> my application? The application exe file does have its compatibilities
> property set to "Run as an administrator". Do I have to run the
> application under compatibility mode of "Windows XP (Service pack 2)"?
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

I agree with the others so far. The specific thing you have run into is
that Vista SP1 (I think) blocks R/W access to "C:\Program Files". Fix
your program now before all your customers start using Win7 and complain
to you.

While you're at it, get rid of the need for them to run as
administrator. That's so 1990s...

 

Thanks DL

I did that. I figured out a solution. My app just needed a property set
to indicate that it should run as an administrator.

Thanks


--
Dweezil38

 

"Dweezil38" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message
news:44c2dec57097e90e2c5f7aaaee6c7a95@nntp-gateway.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
> Thanks DL
>
> I did that. I figured out a solution. My app just needed a property
> set
> to indicate that it should run as an administrator.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

So, now it runs as administrator only because of the need for you to
take the easy way out?

....so what's the name of your software company?

 

"FromTheRafters" <erratic @nomail.afraid.org> wrote in message
news:#iyu07HBKHA.3732@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
> ...so what's the name of your software company?
><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

So we can avoid its products? ;-)

 

"Dweezil38" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message
news:44c2dec57097e90e2c5f7aaaee6c7a95@nntp-gateway.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
> Thanks DL
>
> I did that. I figured out a solution. My app just needed a property
> set
> to indicate that it should run as an administrator.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

So, now it runs as administrator only because of the need for you to
take the easy way out?

....so what's the name of your software company?

Be advised that XP was lenient by allowing you to stray from best
practice. Vista begins to enforce stricter adherance, and I've read that
future versions will be even less forgiving. With any luck, you will be
facing thousands of more customers in the future...what then?

 

Ok folks, message received and understood. I quess I'll have to revamp
my app and place the Data file in the user profile folder.

In the mean time is there a solution for not running the app as the
administrator?


--
Dweezil38

 

"Eric Nay" <EricNay@anyolddomain.invalid> wrote in message
news:ud4XRkBBKHA.5040@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Dweezil38 wrote:<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> ...
>> SO here's my questions. What permissions do I need to get read/write
>> access to my data file? What steps can be taken to remove the
>> security
>> attributes on my data file? Can I change these permissions from
>> within
>> my application? The application exe file does have its
>> compatibilities
>> property set to "Run as an administrator". Do I have to run the
>> application under compatibility mode of "Windows XP (Service pack
>> 2)"?
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> I agree with the others so far. The specific thing you have run into
> is that Vista SP1 (I think) blocks R/W access to "Crogram Files".
> Fix your program now before all your customers start using Win7 and
> complain to you.
>
> While you're at it, get rid of the need for them to run as
> administrator. That's so 1990s...<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

....and default Vista doesn 't easily allow it.

What seems to be "the only user profile created" is actually not the
Administrator account but the "Protected Administrator".

 

Hi Folks,

One more question. If instead of a folder under the user profile, if I
create a folder right off the C: root will I run into the same problems?
Things is I may have multiple users on one system.

Thanks again


--
Dweezil38

 

"Dweezil38" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message
news:ec2b10a4b5e0d3280dbbeeaecd7d90af@nntp-gateway.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
> Ok folks, message received and understood. I quess I'll have to revamp
> my app and place the Data file in the user profile folder.
>
> In the mean time is there a solution for not running the app as the
> administrator?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Perhaps...

 

A bit of a hack (although NOT recommended) would be to adjust the security
privileges of the folder (right click folder -> select properties and then
the security tab) and give read/write privileges to that user (or the Users
group).

But please forward proof the app to use the user profile folder instead

Chris

"Dweezil38" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message
news:ec2b10a4b5e0d3280dbbeeaecd7d90af@nntp-gateway.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
> Ok folks, message received and understood. I quess I'll have to revamp
> my app and place the Data file in the user profile folder.
>
> In the mean time is there a solution for not running the app as the
> administrator?
>
>
> --
> Dweezil38 <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

As long as the folder has read/write privs for that user it should be fine.
Also there is a appdata folder outside of the user profile directory (it is
C:\ProgramData). If multiple users work on the same data that folder would
be the better option.
And please don't hardcode that into the app. Rather ask Windows for the path
(on other language installations the folder names will be different I think)

Chris

"Dweezil38" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message
news:5890a3a4bf197266ad573b3d71c5ea7d@nntp-gateway.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
> Hi Folks,
>
> One more question. If instead of a folder under the user profile, if I
> create a folder right off the C: root will I run into the same problems?
> Things is I may have multiple users on one system.
>
> Thanks again
>
>
> --
> Dweezil38 <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

No program needs to run as administrator. You have taken the easy way out
and I would never buy software from your company. Your program should save
it's program data to the user folder, not Program Files where the program is
located.

Microsoft has been saying this for over 10 years. Now they are trying to
enforce it.

Suggest you get competent programmers.

--

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience


"Dweezil38" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message
news:44c2dec57097e90e2c5f7aaaee6c7a95@nntp-gateway.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
> Thanks DL
>
> I did that. I figured out a solution. My app just needed a property set
> to indicate that it should run as an administrator.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> --
> Dweezil38 <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

"Richard Urban" <richardurbanREMOVETHIS@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:e00GHChBKHA.1492@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> No program needs to run as administrator.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

That is incorrect. There are a variety of programs that need to run with
elevated permissions, the vast majority of them are supplied with the
operating system or are intended to be used by system administrators.
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>You have taken the easy way out<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

I agree. Since the OP has not provided a compelling reason for requiring
elevation, it would seem that it is pure laziness and sloppiness that this
route has been chosen.

-Pete