Access is denied when deleting/downloading a new .exe in VB.net

Question

I know there are a lot of similar questions, but they seem to be about AppData. However, my path is 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Project\My Product Name\Database\Project.exe'. I get an error message when trying to delete this saying System.UnauthorizedAccessException: Access to the path 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Project\My Product Name\Database\Project.exe' is denied. Is this because you have to have Admin Privileges for changing things in Program Files? If so, could I create it so it installs it into Libraries/Documents or something? Extra info if needed -

I am using Install Shield and Visual Studio 2013.

Update-----------------------------------------------------

The way I am trying to delete it/replace the file is:

I have "Main Form" and "Updater Form". And what happens is, MainForm opens UpdaterForm and then closes itself. Like so...

 Private Sub UpdateBtn_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles UpdateBtn.Click
    Updater.Show()
    Me.Close()
End Sub

Then in the UpdaterForm this happens...

Private Sub UpdateBtn_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles UpdateBtn.Click
    Main_Menu.Close()
    Dim Web As New WebClient
    My.Computer.FileSystem.DeleteFile(Application.StartupPath & "/Project.exe")
    My.Computer.Network.DownloadFile("MYLINK", Application.StartupPath & "/Project.exe")
End Sub

However on My.Computer.FileSystem.DeleteFile(Application.StartupPath & "/Project.exe") it says I do not have the permission to edit the file path. I think it is is just the case of moving it somewhere else or making it so UpdaterForm has permissions.

Also, what I was wondering is would it be better for the UpdaterForm to be a different .exe? Or could I just keep it the same?

If you know a lot about Install Shield, could I just use an Upgrade Path, and select to old .msi file? But I am not to sure about how it goes about updating etc. If you know more about it could you please explain?

your app very likely will not have rights to write to Program files. Moreover, if Project.EXE is doing the downloading, you cant replace a file while it is in use — Ňɏssa Pøngjǣrdenlarp, Aug 25 '14 at 20:15
This looks like a common UAC issue. Basically your application needs to request elevated status before attempting to update files in a protected directory (such asn `Program Files (x86)`). — JoelC, Aug 25 '14 at 20:18
@JoelC Oh right, well how would I go about doing that, would it be difficult? — , Aug 25 '14 at 20:35
Can you give us more information on how you are trying to delete `Program.exe` please? Are you deleting it from another application? Thanks. — JoelC, Aug 26 '14 at 13:42

score 0 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:52

As I mentioned in my comment: I expect this is a UAC issue.

The method I know of to gain higher privileges is to request a higher execution level in your application manifest file (app.manifest -> Click Show All Files for your project -> expand My Project). In there you will find a section that looks like this:

<security>
  <requestedPrivileges xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v3">
    <!-- UAC Manifest Options
        If you want to change the Windows User Account Control level replace the 
        requestedExecutionLevel node with one of the following.

    <requestedExecutionLevel  level="asInvoker" uiAccess="false" />
    <requestedExecutionLevel  level="requireAdministrator" uiAccess="false" />
    <requestedExecutionLevel  level="highestAvailable" uiAccess="false" />

        Specifying requestedExecutionLevel node will disable file and registry virtualization.
        If you want to utilize File and Registry Virtualization for backward 
        compatibility then delete the requestedExecutionLevel node.
    -->
    <requestedExecutionLevel level="asInvoker" uiAccess="false" />
  </requestedPrivileges>
  <applicationRequestMinimum>
    <PermissionSet Unrestricted="true" ID="Custom" SameSite="site" />
    <defaultAssemblyRequest permissionSetReference="Custom" />
  </applicationRequestMinimum>
</security>

You want to change your requestedExecutionLevel to requireAdministrator or highestAvailable.

This article at Code Project seems to have a fairly nice walkthrough. Somebody has asked about elevating a process that is already running on Stack Overflow. It isn't possible, but there is good information here and some useful links.

Ahh right, thank you very much. Well would there be an easier way to update my application? Or could I do what I was normally going to do but in the Library? — , Aug 25 '14 at 21:04
Also, when compiling my project, would I have to include the App Manifest as well as the EXE? — , Aug 25 '14 at 21:11
The Application Manifest is already compiled into your application when you build it. If you didn't want your entire application to have elevated, you could have a mini copy utility that you use `Process.Start` to run, then you just have to set the properties on your `StartInfo` as show here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/562350/requested-registry-access-is-not-allowed/562389#562389 — JoelC, Aug 25 '14 at 21:15
I have looked at that and changed it to `requireAdministrator` however, it has not worked? Do I have to include the manifest when compiling it with Install Shield? Or is it 'combined' with the .exe automatically? I have looked everywhere and it also says to turn 'disable' one ClickOnce setting in the Application Properties, I have done that and it has also not worked. — , Aug 26 '14 at 08:43

Access is denied when deleting/downloading a new .exe in VB.net

1 Answers1