Add write permission to Custom folder files created with windows installer

Question

I am creating a folder inside programdata folder using windows installer. Running the project i am getting an error while trying to write to the file

C:\\Pr         


        

Answer 1

ACL Permissioning: Adding write permissions for regular users is usually considered an anti-pattern, but sometimes you need to share a file among all users of the PC for pragmatic purposes.

Write Access: For the record: Here is a list of approaches to deal with permission denied issues. Most of the options listed are not good at all - and that is why the list was made - we need to remember why they are bad and what alternatives exist.

Deployment Tool: Application of custom ACL permissioning - to open a file in a protected disk location for writing by all users - is different depending on what tool you use to make your MSI. Since you don't specify WiX, Installshield, Advanced Installer or something else I am not sure how to answer. Let me use links instead:

WiX:

• Different WiX permission elements - there are two different PermissionEx elements (!)
  • PermissionEx (Util Extension - WiX's own stuff)
    • Util Version: Wix: How to set permissions for folder and all sub folders
  • PermissionEx (MSI5 only - uses the built in MsiLockPermissionsEx Table)
    • MSI5 Version: How to deny folder permission to Users with wix installer
• There are two more (do not use):
  • Permission (legacy MSI LockPermission table)
  • FileSharePermission (for share permissioning - use when you need share permissioning)

Installshield:

• Configuring Permissions for Files and Folders
• Setting Permissions in Windows Installer: MSILockPermissionsEX and ISLockPermissions
• Installshield Folder Permissions not working

Advanced Installer:

• Apply permissions by right clicking a folder and going to properties: Permission Dialog.
• It seems this uses the old, legacy LockPermission table.

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There are some other tools as described here: Short List. Secondary (more links).

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Other Links:

• Different Ways of Giving Permissions in Your Windows Installer
• Per Machine App Registration
• Create a .config folder in the user folder
• Desktop applicaton not opening after installation in client system
• http://wixtoolset.org/documentation/manual/v3/xsd/wix/permissionex.html