Member Avatar for degarb

I am getting with attempts to install apps: "Unable to create a temporary folder to extract to.

Possible Cause: you do not have proper permissions to
create files or folders in your temporary folder. See
your system or network administrator."


I have tried taking away the Read-only
attribute from C:\temp or C:\tmp. But the grey read only attribute persists after apply and okay. Tried changing the folder for this.
XP sp3 and connected to cable via usb to a cable router modem. Windows is on G:

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Building on points raised by , and , the usual cause is that the installer cannot find or write to a valid, writable temporary path. The following steps diagnose exactly where the installer is trying to write, create a reliable temp folder on the same volume as Windows (G: in this case), and fix permissions without weakening system folders.

Check what the process is actually using for temp and that the folder exists:

echo %TEMP%
echo %TMP%
dir "%TEMP%"

If the path is missing or points to the wrong drive, create a new folder on the OS drive and point the environment variables there:

md G:\Temp

Open System Properties -> Advanced -> Environment Variables and set both the user and system TEMP and TMP to G:\Temp. Confirm the folder exists before continuing.

Give the installing account proper NTFS rights (do not blanket Open Everyone permissions): folder Properties -> Security -> Edit -> add the installing user (or the Users group) and grant Modify/Write. If ownership is a problem, use Advanced -> Owner to set Administrators (check Replace owner on subcontainers).

If the installer still fails, capture the failure to see the exact path and error with Sysinternals Process Monitor (look for CreateFile / ACCESS DENIED). Workarounds: run the installer with elevated credentials (Right‑click -> Run as...), temporarily disable antivirus that may lock temp files, or extract the installer contents to G:\Temp with a tool such as 7-Zip:

7z x installer.exe -oG:\Temp

Do not change permissions on core system folders; prefer creating a dedicated temp folder on the same drive as Windows and pointing TEMP/TMP there. If the PC is domain-managed, group policy may enforce restrictions and the network administrator will need to intervene.

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Member Avatar for vmanes

The Read Only attribute has no meaning or effect on folders, ignore it.

Your problem is permission - are you running an account that has administrator privelege? You might try taking ownership of the temp folder (are you sure you're looking at the right folder, usually it's C:\Windows\Temp or C:\Documents and Settings\<USERID>\Local Settings\Temp)

Member Avatar for Jupiter 2

You cannot load apps as a guest. Only as Administrator. What sort of "apps" are you trying to load, anyway?

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