Can't install > can't change contents of folder.

[DamageIncM]

Hello,

I'm having an issue with installing certain things,
such as plugins for Firefox, but also other small software I have to download first.

When I try to install, for example, the Flash plugin via the official website,
I get this message in a popup:

"C:\Users\*name*\AppData\Local\Temp could not be saved, because you cannot change the contents of that folder.
Change the folder properties and try again, or try saving in a different location."

I'm not sure how to set either of those things.
But what should I do anyway?
This is preventing me to do a whole bunch of things.
For one, watching videos on the internet. Not so handy. :\


Greetings.

 

[gregrocker]

Install this shortcut to your rightclick context menu: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1911-take-ownership-shortcut.html

Whenever this problem happens again, rightclick on the file in question to take ownership.

Appdata files may have to be unhidden first at Control Panel>Folder Options>View. They are under your active User.

 

[DamageIncM]

Install this shortcut to your rightclick context menu: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1911-take-ownership-shortcut.html

Whenever this problem happens again, rightclick on the file in question to take ownership.

Appdata files may have to be unhidden first at Control Panel>Folder Options>View. They are under your active User.

But what is the issue then that I can't let the file be downloaded normally?
Also, how can I click the file if it can not even be saved to the location?
Do I need to take the folder in "ownership" instead?

Also, why do I not "own" the folder when it's already part of my one and only Windows-account?

 

[gregrocker]

It is hard to say what is causing it, only that often times Taking Ownership solves these issues.

Is this a factory or in-place Upgrade install which is presenting other performance problems? .

.

 

[DamageIncM]

It is hard to say what is causing it, only that often times Taking Ownership solves these issues.

Is this a factory or in-place Upgrade install which is presenting other performance problems? .

Eh, sorry, what do you mean by that?

 

[richc46]

Simple language
When you installed did you have to reinstall your programs (clean install)
The programs were on the new OS (upgrade)
You had windows.old and had to reinstall the programs (custom Install)
It came preinstalled on the computer when you bought it. (factory)

 

[DamageIncM]

Oh, right, I wasn't sure.
But this is a brand new self-built computer, just installed Windows recently
with about 60 "important updates".
For the rest pretty much nothing except some security-software, hardware-monitoring-software
and Firefox then, through which I just noticed I couldn't get certain things installed.
So I guess this a "clean install"

 

[gregrocker]

Appears to be corruption in the User account, which is why I asked you if there are any other performance problems. We can help you repair or clean reinstall to get beyond these.

I suggest you first follow the troubleshooting steps given here to see if it helps: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistafiles/thread/d60d2571-ff0d-49dc-82d4-4831312c4e92

 

[DamageIncM]

Appears to be corruption in the User account, which is why I asked you if there are any other performance problems. We can help you repair or clean reinstall to get beyond these.

I suggest you first follow the troubleshooting steps given here to see if it helps: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistafiles/thread/d60d2571-ff0d-49dc-82d4-4831312c4e92

Hm, I wouldn't know of any other performance problems because I've only been running this computer for a couple of days.
There's pretty much nothing I can do with it because there's almost nothing on it.
I was almost at the point of putting in an audio-card and and extra HDD for games.
But if I can't even get the regular things to run properly, it'll have to wait.

(Hm, editing this text, it seems like I can't use copy and paste via the keyboard.
At least, it might copy text to the clipboard, but not paste it back in the same editor here on-site.
I probably would paste in something like Notepad though... Yeap, it does... -_- )

So anyway, in the fashion of that post for troubleshooting:
I'd have to create a new account and then open Firefox there
and try to install Flash Player for example?

Oh, and, by the way, I also found that icons of shortcuts disappeared.
Well, not all, 3 out of 13 currently on my desktop.
I guess it is probably a messed up account...
Probably because it was made at very first
and of course without any important updates for a certain time?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes I'd create another Admin-level account, copy your files over, make sure all programs work in it and if not reinstall them. See if the flash and other things not working correctly work in the new account. If so, you can delete the old Account. However, it may not completely delete as the original account will sometimes not do until reinstall. But it should't bother you and may run better.

I'd also run Malwarebytes after updating to make sure there is no infection.

You could also consider a clean reinstall after wiping the HD of possible infection or corruption. Here are some tips for getting a perfect reinstall based on hundreds done here: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729

 

[DamageIncM]

Yes I'd create another Admin-level account, copy your files over, make sure all programs work in it and if not reinstall them. See if the flash and other things not working correctly work in the new account. If so, you can delete the old Account. However, it may not completely delete as the original account will sometimes not do until reinstall. But it should't bother you and may run better.

I'd also run Malwarebytes after updating to make sure there is no infection.

You could also consider a clean reinstall after wiping the HD of possible infection or corruption. Here are some tips for getting a perfect reinstall based on hundreds done here: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729

Hm, I just did something weird.
Situation: I have 1 HDD with partitions C (as a "system drive") and D (as an "application drive").
Firefox was installed to D as it's an application of course.
I made a new account, I couldn't get Firefox started.
So I revisited the Firefox-Installer and instead installed it in the default "C > Program Files".
It worked on that account, it even installed the flash player and some other things.
Then I went back (I switched accounts leaving them logged on both)
to the first account and Firefox crashed for some reason.
Then I opened it again there and it turned out to use the same settings (tabs and all)
while it runs Firefox from the Program Files installation now.
And it works for some reason... so would the directory be the culprit?

This still leaves me unsure if this original Windows Account is OK though.
But I'll still consider just making a new one.
Can I still get all the settings back instantly though?
By that I mean, all the details too, like mouse-settings, Window-sizes/positions perhaps.
All the settings and saves of course.
As I already spent hours on configuring things... it's quite a pain to be honest.


Thanks for your replies.

 

[gregrocker]

Seems the pain was self-inflicted. Never a good idea to put your programs on another partition from OS. They write registry keys which integrate them into the OS so should remain a part of it.

At this point it might be best to consider a clean reinstall following these tips to get a perfect install, based on hundreds done here: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729

Or is it possible you have a Win backup image, factory Recovery partition or disks which could restore to before this was done?

 

[DamageIncM]

Seems the pain was self-inflicted. Never a good idea to put your programs on another partition from OS. They write registry keys which integrate them into the OS so should remain a part of it.

Hm, then they should note that during the installation.
It wasn't a problem on my previous (XP-)computer though, I did the exact same thing.

At this point it might be best to consider a clean reinstall following these tips to get a perfect install, based on hundreds done here: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729

You mean to make sure there are no errors?
Also, would this mean it resets everything to default?

Or is it possible you have a Win backup image, factory Recovery partition or disks which could restore to before this was done?

Before what was done exactly?
Because I did very little in the short time this system has been running.

 

[gregrocker]

Yes a reinstall sets everything to default because it starts over. Wipe the HD first for cleanest slate.

Did you clean install, in-place Upgrade from Vista, or buy a factory pre-installed machine? What is the make/model if so? You could run Factory Recovery.

 

[DamageIncM]

Yes a reinstall sets everything to default because it starts over. Wipe the HD first for cleanest slate.

Did you clean install, in-place Upgrade from Vista, or buy a factory pre-installed machine? What is the make/model if so? You could run Factory Recovery.

Ah, well I stated before it's a self-built system, so it would be a clean install.
Just bought and assembled all parts, installed Windows on a brand-new disk.
Installed security before connecting the internet and then connected and had Windows update.
That's pretty much where I'm at now, apart from having surfed online with Firefox.

 

[dadwhiskers]

If you are using Firefox, change the download folder to another folder, and then change it back to the folder you want. That fixed it for me.

I saw another fix on another site that worked for someone else. Make sure the Application Experience service is set to automatic. Mine was disabled, and that may have contributed to the problem.

 

[Zenicablues]

Try this: - After to many various ways, programs, etc., conclude what is in fact problem !!! - To many have permissions and windows is confused !!! (Keep only necessary !) - Remove all from security tab, permissions and owner tabs !!! - Add in security tab you (user), admin (you) and can guest ! - Same in permissions tab, - Owner tab: owner you (as user), keep admin (again you) in lower panel ! - That is all !!!https://cdn.sevenforums.com/images/smilies/wink.gif