Program Files 'Access is Denied' error message. Nothing has worked.

Question

Welcome to my dilemma.

I had recently downloaded the nightmare that is iTunes v8 onto my Windows XP Inspiron 2650 2001 laptop. I had done as much as I can to fix the problem with iTunes, and I can run it just fine...

on another user's account.

I normally use a secondary account, with Administrative rights, but I have been working off of the original user account since I successfully downloaded iTunes, using it as a work around. There's one thing I haven't been able to do ever since I started using this computer, and that's access the Program Files folder at C:\ProgramFiles.

I need to be able to access this folder in order to create a working shortcut for iTunes on my desktop. I'm really not willing to unintstall and reinstall any version of iTunes, and I'm currently running a recent upgrade of version 7. The original account (not my normal one) is able to access the Program Files folder, and I have created a working shortcut to iTunes on the desktop of the original account.

Each time I create a shortcut path to the iTunes.exe file, I come across the error that says "'C:\ProgramFiles\iTunes\iTunes.exe" cannot be found" or something like that. I realize that once I'm able to access the program files folder, I can finally use my own account, instead of the other account (the original.)

I have done lots of searches, on this website and the microsoft help and support site, and the directions that are stated go (generally) as such:

"Take ownership of the folder by right clicking it and selecting Properties. Select the Security Tab and click the Advanced button. You'll see an Owner tab so add your User Name to the list

You may need to go to My Computer/Tools/Folder Options/View tab and uncheck "Use simple file sharing" or you won't have a Security tab otherwise.

You need to be using an Admin Account to do it." - by dunedin 11-15-2005, 6:23 AM

Now, everything that is in bold is what I don't have. I can't uncheck any "use simple file sharing" box, since it's not under the advanced settings box in the view tab, so I also don't have the security tab.

I'm truly in a pickle, and I need help. I have thought about doing a sort of workaround and transfering all of my files from my usual account to the original account, where iTunes works, but all of my I don't think there's any way to access my email from the original account.

So I ask you, HOW DO I ALLOW THE PROGRAM FILES FOLDER TO BE ACCESS ON MY NORMAL ACCOUNT?

Rookie162 · Answer

Okay, well it worked for the most part. But now I get this message when I try to open iTunes:

"iTunes <---title

iTunes cannot run because some of its required files are missing. Please reinstall iTunes."

I've seen a couple fixes for this, but they all require that I uninstall and reinstal iTunes and QuickTime.

But when I try to remove it, another error comes up:

"iTunes + QuickTime <---title

The INstaller has insufficient privileges to modify this file: C:\Program Files\iTunes\Acknowledgements.rtf"

or

"QuickTime for Windows <---title

The Installer has insufficient privileges to modify this file: C:\Program Files\QuickTime Read Me.htm."

This seems to be a never-ending problem for me.

Message Edited by Rookie162 on 09-13-2008 03:34 PM

Message Edited by Rookie162 on 09-13-2008 05:01 PM

dave51_2fe887 · Answer

You can try THIS.

Rookie162 · Answer

That's pretty much what I've tried.

The thing is, there's no "Security" tab, so I can't perform the "Click the Security tab, and then click OK on the Security message (if one appears)." step.

Thanks for the input anyway.

dave51_2fe887 · Answer

You MUST boot in 'Safe Mode' to an Administrator Account.

Windows General

Program Files "Access is Denied" error message. Nothing has worked.

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