Windows 7: Access is denied error while installing driver

Hi all, and thanks for reading this thread - I have searched high and low for a solution but to no avail so would really appreciate any help you may be able to give.

Basically I have bought a printer (Canon p2720) and can't for the life of me install the driver. I have installed them fine on my wife's laptop but for some reason it just won't do it on the desktop. Here's what happens:

1. I normally just plug it in and Windows searches for the driver automatically - it finds, downloads and tries to install the driver but then states that an error occurred.
2. I also tried installing the driver from the software included in the CD (an option I hate because of the unnecessary software they also include) but again I get an error saying access is denied.

So I have tried the following to fix:
1. Gone to Computer Management into the device manager, found the printer (listed under 'Other Devices') and tried installing drivers this way via both the net and also the CD - both don't work claiming access is denied.
2. From searching the net it sounded like some sort of permissions issue (even though the account is an admin account) so I have tried to change the permissions of windows - system32 - spool. Currently they look like they're read only (when I right-click and go to properties the read only box is filled in). When I try to uncheck this box and click on apply it goes through a lot of them and then gets to the odd file and says "An error occurred applying the attributes to the file <lists file path> Access is denied". I've tried everything I can think of - disabling UAC, looking online and all that but with no joy. I've tried also changing the permissions of C: by unchecking the 'readonly' box but again it won't let me stating access is denied when I get to certain files (it applies to others fine)

I think I've had a permissions problem for a while because whenever I try to install something it always comes up with an error writing to config.msi et al (but when I click on retry it works) but again no idea how to fix. It's a bit of a pain because the likes of iTunes won't autoupdate or anything because it won't write to the folders.

I am pretty certain that they're linked, have an idea what the problem is (insofar as permissions) but am lost about trying to fix it!!

Can anyone help please???!!

Hi dog3074,welcome to the forums, try installing the driver in compatibility mode Compatibility Mode

Good call.

Also, try downloading the files indepentantly and right-clicking the setup/install.exe file and selecting Run as Administrator