Solved How do I edit a file in Program Files tree?

[StupidUser]

How do I edit a file in the ProgramFiles(x86) directory?

There is a .xml configuration file which is supposed to be editable to configure the app the way I want it (that's why it's called configuration file, MS!). Here's the file tree: C:\Program Files (x86)\TeXnicCenter\packages\math.xml.

I can make changes in Notepad, but cannot save anything back to this directory. I am the sole user and administrator of my system (see the pic?), so I should be allowed to do whatever the heck I wanna do! It is a Win7 Ultimate (x64).

How do I edit this file? Thanks

Question 2 (this one is really rhetorical-venting): Why-oh-why would MS keep me from editing my files in my directories on my personal computer? It's mine! (Did you notice that pattern?)

P.S. - I have no idea what the correct subforum for this question is (since I never expected to have to ask such an inane question). I'm sorry if it's in the wrong place (feel free to move it and scold me appropriately ).

 

[DeaconFrost]

You forgot an option in your poll for "No, and I'm glad it is this way, especially since other major OSes have been this well protected for years".

For the record, I have no trouble going into my Program Files directories and making changes to files. I just have no need to do so. Sounds like you have some permissions issues, or your UAC settings moved to be too strict.

 

[logicearth]

Drag the file in question to your desktop, open it, edit it, save it. Then drag it back to its previous location. Done.

 

[arkhi]

math.xml is located on a protected directory (Program Files x86). When you double-click to open it, it opens in an un-elevated Notepad (user mode), that's why you can't save it back.

You can either do what logicearth said, or simply right-click Notepad and run as admin, and then Ctrl+O to open "C:\Program Files (x86)\TeXnicCenter\packages\math.xml."

Don't worry, everything there is still editable. Your system is just making the right precautions through UAC (don't disable UAC <_<).

 

[StupidUser]

You forgot an option in your poll for "No, and I'm glad it is this way, especially since other major OSes have been this well protected for years"...

I didn't think anyone would actually give that answer. (Maybe I was a little frustrated - for a change).

Just out of curiosity, how is it that other OSes have been this well protected but still let you change your own configuration files without frustrating me half as much?

...You can ...simply right-click Notepad and run as admin, and then Ctrl+O to open "C:\Program Files (x86)\TeXnicCenter\packages\math.xml."...

This solution works best for me. Thanks every1.

 

[DeaconFrost]

If you try using Linux or OSX, you get prompted far more than Windows 7 does....and the often require entering your password, not just right-clicking the file or application.

 

[StupidUser]

If you try using Linux or OSX, you get prompted far more than Windows 7 does....and the often require entering your password, not just right-clicking the file or application.

Really? Years ago when I used to manage a - I'm embarrassed to admit - Dec Vax system I never had those problems.

 

[logicearth]

Unless you run under the "root" account on Unix/Linux, you have to use either su or sudo to edit certain configuration details in system directories (akin to Program Files). However, on Unix/Linux systems most programs store their configuration in a users home directory (/home/[username]). Of course, not all programs do this on Unix/Linux or on Windows, like your program for example.

The only reason you did not have these problems on previous versions of Windows (Windows XP) because you ran under administrative power. On Windows Vista and 7 you do not have Administrative power until you elevate an application. That is what the UAC prompt does, it elevates you to administrative power, on demand. This allows you to do administrative tasks while not having your web browser or any internet connect program have access to that level of power, which is bad.

Btw...why are you comparing a system (DEC VEX) from the early 1970-1980s to a modern system? At that point in time, the internet barely existed as it does now. And Security was less of an issue, pioneer days.

 

[StupidUser]

I get what you are saying. I just have to get used to the new type of security.

I'm not so much comparing Windows to Vax as using it as my point of reference. It's the only big system I ever administrated. And yes, we did have the internet back then (80s and 90s) and yes, there were security threats waaaay back then.