Can't save file in C:\ root directory

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  1. Posts : 56
    windows 10
       #1

    Can't save file in C:\ root directory


    I want to save files in my C:\ root directory of my boot drive and get an error that "Required privilege is not held by the client". I am the sole user/administrator of this system. I went into C:, properties, security, and enabled permissions for everything and everyone.

    I can make/delete new folders in the C: drive, and save/delete files in those folders.
    My Win 10 system works just fine, except for me to save a file in the C; root directory


    I can save files from apps to the C:\, and if I save the same file again, it tells me it exists and if I want to overwrite it, so it is indeed saved to the root directory.

    In windows explorer I can't see those saved files in the root directory.

    Any suggestions?
    Last edited by fussybob; 12 Sep 2016 at 22:02.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,255
    Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    Best practice has always been to save files to a folder and not to the root of c. Why is this necessary? Changing permissions as you have done is a security risk and you need a really compelling reason to do so.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 16,325
    W10Prox64
       #3

    LMiller7 said:
    Best practice has always been to save files to a folder and not to the root of c. Why is this necessary? Changing permissions as you have done is a security risk and you need a really compelling reason to do so.
    Agreed.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 56
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    LMiller7 said:
    Best practice has always been to save files to a folder and not to the root of c. Why is this necessary? Changing permissions as you have done is a security risk and you need a really compelling reason to do so.
    I agree with what you say, but one should be able to save a file to the root directory as one was able to do in the past Windows versions. I have never seen where MS stated that you will no longer be able to save files to the root directory, I just felt something was wrong with my system/install.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 31,459
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #5

    fussybob said:
    I agree with what you say, but one should be able to save a file to the root directory as one was able to do in the past Windows versions. I have never seen where MS stated that you will no longer be able to save files to the root directory, I just felt something was wrong with my system/install.
    No, it's working as designed - to protect you (or at least, the average Joe) from themselves. If you really have a genuine reason for needing to place a file in the root of C:\ then you can - just save it somewhere else first, then copy (or move) it to C:\ with File Explorer. You'll get a different popup warning - one that does let you continue....

    Can't save file in C:\ root directory-admin.png
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 579
    Windows 10
       #6

    You may to try to Disable Completely the UAC in Registry : EnableLUA=0.
    See if works.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,366
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #7

    As a local admin, I'm able to save files there by default. I get a security prompt, but that's it. On our corporate machines, I put our logo there as a user profile icon. Nothing else gets saved there, as there's no reason to do so. You don't want to be able to save anything to the root, as you could cause the system to not boot (potentially).
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 13,895
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #8

    Historically [in the good old DOS days] there was a limit of 512 files in the Root of the C:/boot drive but with the advent of Win95 and LFN/Long File Names that reduced the capacity by about half, more or less. That limit does not exist with the number of files in a Folder.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 21
    Windows 10 Enterprise x64 Build 1607
       #9

    Enable the admin account and save them with it. This is a designed layer of security. Windows will save from most software that is cleared through smart screen filter (if enabled). Essentially it is trying to protect you from yourself. Think of the root dir as a holy place where you should not wander, it is why they gave you a profile and corresponding directory to run wild in. If this is something that all users on the machine needs access to then put it in the public profile.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 56
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    I don't get the window that you do I get this window when I try to Copy

    OK, I can now move the file to the C:\ root by right clicking the file in windows explorer and selecting Move, Cut and Paste, or Dragging, but not using "Copy", it triggers the error below. No big deal doing it with out the Copy, but something just seems strange. And to everyone I do agree that I will most likely never add a file to the root directory, but someday I just may need a reason to do so.


    Can't save file in C:\ root directory-error.jpg




    Bree said:
    No, it's working as designed - to protect you (or at least, the average Joe) from themselves. If you really have a genuine reason for needing to place a file in the root of C:\ then you can - just save it somewhere else first, then copy (or move) it to C:\ with File Explorer. You'll get a different popup warning - one that does let you continue....



    Can't save file in C:\ root directory-admin.png
      My Computer


 

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