Windows 10 AlienFX unable to fast switch profiles

Question

Minor issue after updating to Windows 10 - the Alienware AlienFX program is no longer able to do quick switch of color profiles from the right click menu from the system tray. Changing profiles directly through the app's main UI works just fine.

When trying to make a quick change, an error dialog pops up with the following text:

Access to path 'C:\Users\ \Documents\AlienFX\Themes\Quick Change.ath' is denied.

So it seems like there may be some permission differences between Win7 and Win10, but not sure what would need to be updated to fix this. Are there any plans for an update to the app itself to support Win10?

Erin A. · Accepted Answer

Through no help of Dell or Microsoft's, I have found the problem here. I would be willing to bet you're also unable to save any files into your "C:\Users\" directory either, including the Documents, Pictures, Movies, etc. subfolders. The problem is actually related to OneDrive, which the Win10 setup process actively encourages users to enable. Unfortunately, doing so also screws up all of your folder permissions, and the only sure fire way to fix the issue includes disabling OneDrive, and manually adding yourself back to the list of users that have permission to access your own folder.

This is related to the thread here:

You do not have to do the full procedure he outlines in the post, just the steps of disabling OneDrive, and adding yourself to the permissions list for the folder. I have verified that this addresses the permission issue that is plaguing the AlienFX program also.

We NEED Alienware to push Microsoft on a fix for this issue; they will not listen to individuals to make this a priority to get a fix. This absolutely MUST come from their OEM partners. It seems that Alienware has decided on a one reply per thread policy the same as Microsoft here unfortunately, so I have no faith that anything will come of this.

I strongly urge you, if you have a "supported" system to call into their helpdesk and reference this thread specifically. This issue needs visibility, and we need Dell/Alienware's support in getting this fixed.

Alienware - Rodrigo · Answer

For us to better assist you, can you please provide the model name and revision for your Alienware system?

Erin A. · Answer

I can, but we're talking about a software problem, so this information is irrelevant.

It is an Aurora R3 (2011), but I strongly urge you to actually FULLY READ my original post as this is NOT a hardware (or hardware compatibility) issue.

Alienware - Rodrigo · Answer

Hi,

I agree that this seems like a software problem. Unfortunately, according to the policy document, the Aurora R3 desktop system will not be supported on Windows 10. Some users have successfully installed Windows 10 on these non-supported systems. But they did all the driver investigation (example = installing 7/8/8.1 drivers/applications) to force it to work. Dell does not have the resources to do this on non-supported systems.

Erin A. · Answer

And this is exactly why I didn't specify the system up front because it is both irrelevant, and a pure excuse for you to not acknowledge the problem.  This issue will happen no matter what hardware this software is running on, I just happen to be running it on one of your 'unsupported' systems.  This is a problem that needs to be fixed for your 'supported' systems also; I guarantee this problem is not unique to the R3 2011 Edition.  This type of idiotic response is a very compelling reason to not continue to support Alienware in the future.

woutersje · Answer

How about the R4?  I'm having the exact same problem.....

bigbearandy · Answer

I can't say that I have an answer, but since I bit the bullet and upgraded earlier than I should, I have a couple suggestions after I ran into similar problems and managed to resolve them:

Are you using Citrix Receiver? Remove it if you have an alternative, it creates all kind of weird problems on Win10, including causing skype to fail and freezes on an attempt to do a fast profile switch. The cloud version of my brokerage's trading terminal used it, and I managed to find a desktop client to replace it, and that fixed a huge number of annoyances like this.
There's an update out there from Windows that fixes this problem. I got it because I'm on a supported system, but if you search the hotfixes database, you might be able to find it and install it manually. I got it automatically delivered after a day after I posted about the problem. That seemed to fix my problem with the fast profile switch, but I don't know if its available for your system.

bigbearandy · Answer

OOps, sorry, please disregard that post. I re-read your post and realized when you said "fast swtich profiles" you meant color profiles (I assume you are doing pre-press work). The things I suggested do fix a number of Win10 annoyances and you might find a hotfix for your issue (always worth looking), but they are for another thing also called "fast switching profile.

I'll add since I used to be an HP tech, if this is a color profile tool you picked up from a printer manufacturer, you might find out who they OEM'd the color profile tool from and see if they have a Windows 10 version. A lot of people who bundle tools with color profile tools for hardware (e.g. printers, monitors, etc.) license them up from other software makers and just bundle them with their own software. You can often get around the problems by finding who made the original tool and going directly to their download site. In most cases, the hardware manufacturer tries to do as little modification on the software as possible.

woutersje · Answer

I Also have to mention i did a clean install

woutersje · Answer

It Just seems i don't have permission to change the colour, because the tester works and shows different colours.

Searched the internet for hours and I can't figure it out... thanks for your time though, if something comes to your mind don't hesitate! :D

Erin A. · Answer

Hey Rodrigo,

Now that the issue is being reported by someone using a "supported" system, how about an actual response and some, oh I don't know, support? I told you up front that this issue is going to happen regardless of system hardware, but you ignored me. How about responding to the "supported" part of this thread?

woutersje · Answer

Thanks a bunch! This worked for me, sad i cannot request a sticky... but i will surely contact alienware for this fix!

aliensarg14 · Answer

have had same error after updating to windows 10.tried all sorts fixes and got nowhere until i stumbled onto other problems with access denied/permissions etc,trying to remove files.after configuring my user homegroup and pc names to match my administrator name the alienfx quick change is working great.hope this helps others,simple fix but can verify it fixed things for me.never had this problem in win 7.seems windows 10 has got issues with user directories/file paths.am not very tech savy,hope is easy for others to maybe help them.

DyeKid · Answer

I have an Alienware M17Xr2 and i have 2 problems after the update. 1. My audio jack does not function properly when any external devices are plugged into it and 2. My alienFX does not load properly at all. I have no idea how to fix these problems and if going about this in a private manner is more effective, please let me know. Thanks

Erin A. · Answer

Considering this has nothing to do with the topic being discussed in this thread, I would suggest you start a new thread so that your issue can be seen and found.

Locked Topics – Alienware General

Windows 10 AlienFX unable to fast switch profiles

Was this post helpful?