Windows – Access denied to C:\Users\Public\Desktop

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I'm trying to install an application which installs several programs and tries to write their shortcuts to C:\Users\Public\Desktop

It fails, saying that the access is denied, and then doesn't install the programs.

When I try to open C:\Users\Public\Desktop with Explorer, I also get access denied, although my Windows account is an admin account.

I'm using Windows 8.1 64 bits. UAC is set to the minimum setting. Starting the installation program or Explorer as administrator didn't help.

The Desktop folder is set to read only, but if I try to remove that, I get access denied as well. In Properties / Security / Advanced / Permissions, I can only see "You do not have permission to view or edit this object's permission settings.".

Thanks

Best Answer

The problem is solved, but I'm still not sure what caused it.

I restarted the computer in safe mode to try to access that "Desktop" folder, and it was not there anymore! Instead, there was a "Public Desktop" folder, which I could access without issues. I rebooted the PC in normal mode, and same thing: "Desktop" has been replaced by "Public Desktop".

So I tried to install Komplete again, and this time it worked without issues. The programs shortcuts were created inside "Public Desktop".

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