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Hello All,
We have a windows application built on .Net Framework 4.8. This application has to modify a file that is present in 'C:\ProgramData\CustomApp\Configuration' folder. This file was copied by an installer that was executed with 'Admin' user privileges.
The windows application runs with non-admin credentials and hence we are getting an 'Access Denied' error when we try to modify the file using the windows application.
Can anyone let us know if it is possible to modify the file without requiring 'Admin' user privileges'?
If it is possible, how can it be done?
Any help is appreciated!
Thank you in advance!
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Yes it is possible, it is just NTFS permissions. Go to the folder in File Explorer and open the Properties. Go to the Security tab. Click Edit. Most likely Users is already listed as having access so select that group and then allow them to Modify the folder. Depending on what the app is doing you might need to grant Full Control but start with Modify. This should allow any user to add/edit/delete files in that folder.
You should also adjust your installer app to grant normal users write permissions to that folder in the future.
Hello @Michael Taylor ,
Can we modify the permissions programmatically?
Of course, that is how your installer needs to do it. Since the installer is running as an admin then it must be creating the file during installation? By default when anyone in the Administrators group creates a folder/file then the entire Administrators group is given permissions. Check the permissions in File Explorer and see what they are.
You need to determine why Users don't have the necessary rights and fix that. For example if your installer creates a folder then perhaps the Users group was not given access for some reason. Depending on what is messed up determines how you need to proceed.
'C:*ProgramData*\CustomApp\Configuration'
The special folder "ProgramData" is designed and intended to contain application data, that can be written without admin permission; that's what this special folder is good for.
But if the app still needs admin permissions, then the permissions on that folder are mixed up, either by the installer or some person.
Fix the permissions on that special folder and everything will be fine.