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The Installer Has Insufficient Privileges to Access
Running the installer as administrator can quickly fix the problem
10 min. read
Updated onNovember 2, 2023
updated onNovember 2, 2023
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Key notes
Installing new applications on Windows 10 is pretty simple, and the installation process usually goes without any problems.
However, our readers reportedThe installer has insufficient privileges to access this directoryerror that occurs while installing certain applications, so let’s see how to fix this error.
What causesThe installer has insufficient privileges to access this directoryerror?
The error is caused by a lack of privileges for the installer to modify certain resources. However, there are some other reasons to take into account:
Now that we know what we’re facing, let’s follow the solutions below to fix it for good.
How can I fixThe installer has insufficient privileges to access this directoryerror?
1. Check your permissions
Sometimes this error can be caused if you don’t have the necessary permissions over the installation directory. According to Microsoft, to install certain software, the SYSTEM group or Everyone group needs full control over the installation directory.
For instance, if you’re trying to install an application toProgram Files/My_Applicationdirectory, you might have to change the permissions forProgram Filesdirectory.
After making the necessary changes, try to install the application again and check if the problem is resolved.
2. Disable or remove third-party software
Third-party applications can sometimes interfere with your setup process, but you can fix this problem simply by closing them. One common cause for this error can be your security software, therefore, we advise you to disable it and check if that solves the issue temporarily.
Users reported that tools such as MyWinLocker can also interfere with the setup process and cause this error to appear. Therefore, if you have this tool installed, remove it.
Now you can do this the old-fashioned way or by using specialized uninstaller software to ensure no software traces are left behind to tamper with your activity.
To find the most reliable services for uninstalling stubborn applications, you only have to select thebest uninstaller software for your Windows 10 PC.
3. Change the owner of the parent directory
If you’re gettingThe installer has insufficient privileges to access this directoryerror, you might be able to fix it simply by changing the owner of the parent directory.
For example, if you’re getting this error while trying to install a certain application in your Program Files directory, you need to take ownership of the Program Files directory.
Remember that you might have to take ownership of a different directory depending on where you want to install the desired application.
Keep in mind that changing ownership over certain folders, such as Program Files, can be potentially dangerous, therefore create a backup and System Restore point before starting this process.
4. Run the setup as an administrator
Our readers reported thatThe installer has insufficient privileges to access this directoryerror appears if you don’t have administrator privileges while installing certain software.
By choosing theRun as administratoroption, you should be able to install the application without any problems.
5. Check if Windows Install Service is running
After starting this service, you should be able to install all applications without any problems.
6. Uninstall all previous versions of Cisco AnyConnect VPN
According to some of our readers, this error can sometimes appear if you’re trying to install a newer version of the Cisco AnyConnect VPN software. To fix this problem, you need to completely remove all previous versions of this software.
After doing that, you should be able to install this application without any further errors.
7. Stop the TSVNCache.exe process
Sometimes the installation process will try to replace certain files even if they are still running, and that will causeThe installer has insufficient privileges to access this directoryerror to appear.
Some readers reported this error while installing TortoiseSVN. According to them, the installation was trying to replace TSVNCache.exe file with a newer version, but it couldn’t complete the process because the TSVNCache.exe was still running in the background.
Keep in mind that this problem can occur with any application, and any file related to that application can cause this problem to appear.
TSVNCache.exe affects only TortoiseSVN, but if you’re installing a different application you need to find out on your own which file is preventing the installation process.
8. Perform a level-three uninstall
This problem can occur when you try to install HP printer software, and to fix it you need toperform the full uninstall of your HP softwareby following the steps above.
After the uninstall is completed, try to install the software again.
9. Use the MSfixit tool
The installer has insufficient privileges to access this directoryerror can prevent you from installing applications on your Windows 10 PC, but you can fix this problem by runningMSfixit tool.
This tool is designed to automatically fix problems with corrupted registry keys and many other installation problems with just a single click. Download and run this tool, which should fix this problem.
10. Delete all Autodesk folders
This problem can occur if you’re trying to install Autodesk software, but you still have Autodesk folders on your PC.
11. Turn off User Account Control
User Account Controlis a useful feature designed to alert you whenever you perform an action that requires administrator privileges.
This feature can protect you from malicious software, but it can also interfere with the installation process and cause certain errors, therefore, you might want to disable it. After turning this feature off, try to install the same application again.
Other known solutions for iTunes and Skype
Some of our readers also encounteredThe installer has insufficient privileges to access this directoryiTunes error. The solution is to right-click the installer file and selectProperties. Then, clickUnblock,Apply,andOKto save the changes.
In addition, you may also apply Solution 11 and run the installer as an administrator as we described in Solution 4. Some of our readers also fixed the problem by changing the installation directory during the installation process.
If you’re gettingThe installer has insufficient privileges to access this directoryerror while installing Skype, it might be because certain services or processes are using the Skype folder.
To see which services are using this directory, simply useprocexptool from Sysinternals, that will show you exactly which processes are accessing the Skype folder. After that, simply disable those processes and check if that solves the error.
Of course, you may also use theportable version of Skypeas a workaround. After downloading it, double-click it in order to run it.
We also recommend reading other guides related to this error like anerror occured while attempting to create a directoryorhow to fix installation privileges problems.
Let us know if any of these solutions worked by reaching for the comments section below.
More about the topics:Uninstall issues and guides,windows 10 fix
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
