I cannot copy individual files to the root c: directory

I can copy folders, but not individual files.
I get error "a required privilege is not held by the client"
I get the UAC prompt everywhere else, or to "provide administrator"

I've tried disabling UAC
I've run SFC DISM ect
I tried changing the owner to everyone, Administrator, ect
Simply can't copy individual files

That also was a "feature" in Win10, not many files can be put in the root of C: or the Boot/System drive if different. Can have as many folders as desired, just can't have duplicates/two or more of the exact same name, need to have at least one character difference.

ThomasM said:

I can copy folders, but not individual files.
I get error "a required privilege is not held by the client"
I get the UAC prompt everywhere else, or to "provide administrator"

I've tried disabling UAC
I've run SFC DISM ect
I tried changing the owner to everyone, Administrator, ect
Simply can't copy individual files

Click to expand...

Been like this for years - even on Windows 10.

Downgrading permission levels on the root drive so you can save files their increases risk of malware.

MS used to get a lot of flak about Windows being insecure, and when they tightened up things, people still complain LOL.

No matter what people think (its my pc and I will do what I want attitude), there is no sound reason to store data on root of C drive.

Just partition drive and create a data partition (if you only have one drive).

You can save files to your hearts content to root of that partition without bypassing security constraints.

ThomasM said:

I can copy folders, but not individual files.
I get error "a required privilege is not held by the client"

Click to expand...

Welcome to Eleven Forum.

As stated above, this is a security measure to protect the root of C: from malware copying its files there.

I cannot think of any reason for copying your own files to the root of C: that cannot equally well be served by creating your own folder there and copying them to that.

cereberus said:

Been like this for years - even on Windows 10.

Downgrading permission levels on the root drive so you can save files their increases risk of malware.

MS used to get a lot of flak about Windows being insecure, and when they tightened up things, people still complain LOL.

No matter what people think (its my pc and I will do what I want attitude), there is no sound reason to store data on root of C drive.

Just partition drive and create a data partition (if you only have one drive).

You can save files to your hearts content to root of that partition without bypassing security constraints.

Click to expand...

Edit-Also after acronis restore, there's a "c: missing" in the windows system restore.

Okay, I was just worried there would be more problems down the road with other folders. If It's just the root, and only individual files, I'm fine with that. It doesn't affect me.
I had an Acronis backup so after messing with everything I just did a full restore.

Berton said:

That also was a "feature" in Win10, not many files can be put in the root of C: or the Boot/System drive if different. Can have as many folders as desired, just can't have duplicates/two or more of the exact same name, need to have at least one character difference.

Click to expand...

It was just frustrating me trying to fix it but I'll just leave it alone. I guess they put more restrictions on the root so as long as a program I install, if the root is needed, can access it then I'll be ok.

ThomasM said:

It was just frustrating me trying to fix it but I'll just leave it alone. I guess they put more restrictions on the root so as long as a program I install, if the root is needed, can access it then I'll be ok.

Click to expand...

I have seen a program do it but have continued the habit of creating a Temp folder in the Root, a leftover from MS-DOS 5 and Windows 3.1 of '92. Some programs look for that just as they look for havinge swapfile/paging file in use, Virtual Memory.

Berton said:

I have seen a program do it but have continued the habit of creating a Temp folder in the Root, a leftover from MS-DOS 5 and Windows 3.1 of '92. Some programs look for that just as they look for havinge swapfile/paging file in use, Virtual Memory.

Click to expand...

Ok...I can create folder to my heart's content. No problem there for me, so programs shouldn't have a problem. Simply individual files. If a program happened to try to create a log file, or its own swap file or something, I just wonder to myself if it would have a problem.

Time will tell and I doubt I'll have any problems. The OS allows me to copy files to the system32 directory so it looks like it's only the root

ThomasM said:

Ok...I can create folder to my heart's content. No problem there for me, so programs shouldn't have a problem. Simply individual files. If a program happened to try to create a log file, or its own swap file or something, I just wonder to myself if it would have a problem.

Time will tell and I doubt I'll have any problems. The OS allows me to copy files to the system32 directory so it looks like it's only the root

Click to expand...

Year-old Notebook, doesn't have much in the root but I haven't loaded it up much.



I wouldn't copy files to C:\Windows or its subfolders as what is there is the Operating System, they should go in C:\Users\USERNAMEHERE and its subfolders. A problem can exist if the C: drive is Labeled as Windows, should be something else like the name and model of computer, the one I'm on now has the drive labeled as Vostro3400.

I don't remember any problems when naming the drive Windows, not at least up to Windows 7 and 8. I don't remember if I have done it in Windows 10 or 11. Why should there be a problem? I frequently name the C: disk Windows and the D: disk Data so it is easier to spot without having to see the drive letter. If there is any issue, I would give the name Windows11 instead.

I place a text file at the root of the C drive which is used as a data look up file for a program I use. I think I just copy and paste the file there and apart from having to click 'Yes' to 'you need confirm this operation' I've never had an issue. Just looking now and I see Macrium also writes to a file there.

I forgot to add. I cannot copy, BUT I CAN DELETE

I can't copy a txt file but I'm able to delete log files or most other files, I assume

Makes no sense

Copying files to the root folder requires Administrator rights. If you have a limited account you cannot do that.

ThomasM said:

Makes no sense

Click to expand...

Makes PERFECT sense. It is by design. If you run an app elevated, you can write to C:\. As an example, open an elevated command prompt and you can copy files to C:\. As another example, open notepad elevated and you can save to C:\.

Finally, you can run File Explorer elevated and then you can copy to C:\.

Default owner and permissions should look like this.
B550 is the name of my computer so yours will be different.

ThomasM said:

I forgot to add. I cannot copy, BUT I CAN DELETE

I can't copy a txt file but I'm able to delete log files or most other files, I assume

Makes no sense

Click to expand...

Have you not understood why you cannot write to root Only apps with system rights can do so. If you reduce permissions level so a normal user even with admin rights, you put whole system at risk.

The restriction is there for a reason. Accept the restrictions and move on.

If you persist in trying to get round the restriction, don't come whinging here if you get malware or inexplicable issues due to permission changes.

As far as I know if you have an Administrator account (not limited) you can copy files to C: but you are asked for confirmation first. Just confirm and proceed. What is the problem? Unless you have a limited account and you are seeking for a workaround. There isn't any, you must convert your account from limited to Administrator and this can only be done from another Administrator account.

cereberus said:

Have you not understood why you cannot write to root Only apps with system rights can do so. If you reduce permissions level so a normal user even with admin rights, you put whole system at risk.

The restriction is there for a reason. Accept the restrictions and move on.

If you persist in trying to get round the restriction, don't come whinging here if you get malware or inexplicable issues due to permission changes.

Click to expand...

Very well said.

Also, as noted, this limitation is super easy to work around.

Example: Press WinKey + R, type in EXPLORER, press CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER. This will run File Explorer elevated, now you can freely copy to C:\.

So an we write files at the root of c: or not?
Isn't there any way so let us write files at the root of c:?