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iTunes Update: Installer has Insufficient Privileges

"The installer has insufficient privileges to access this directory. C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start\Menu\Programs\iTunes. The installer cannot continue. Log on as administrator or contact your system administrator."

System specs: Windows 7, x32 or x64, fully patched & SP'd

I just worked with my cousin in Colorado over Skype to get this resolved. This is a fairly obscure error, and if you try to edit the permissions of the folder, run the installer as an administrator, log on as an administrator and run it, no actions seemed to resolve the problem. We did get it fixed, which involved the following steps. Not all of these may be strictly required, but hey, it worked for me. ;-)

1. Download the latest iTunes installer

2. Rt. click the installer, select 'Properties'

3. Click on 'Unblock', then click Apply, then OK.

4. Click on the Windows icon and type 'uac' (no quotes)

5. Click on 'Change User Account Control Settings'

6. Move the slider down to 'Never Notify' (NOTE: This will require a reboot)

7. Rt. click the installer and select 'Run as administrator' from the context menu

8. Let the installer complete (it should now)

9. Open 'Change User Account Control Settings'

10. Return the slider to the position you found it on (likely 2nd from the top)

Hopefully this helps you resolve this issue. All the best, iTuners!

Kurt

iTunes Installer-OTHER, Windows 7, Installer, Insufficient privileges

Posted on Mar 12, 2012 6:54 PM

60 replies

Kulmandu

Level 1

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May 25, 2013 5:23 PM in response to K Gazow

Kurt, thank you so much! This worked like a charm.

KarlyR

Level 1

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Jun 10, 2013 11:56 AM in response to K Gazow

I received the 'insufficient privileges' notification today while trying to download the latest version of iTunes. After I cancelled the installation, when I opened iTunes I got a message that said if I wanted to burn cds or import them I would have to reinstall iTunes. I uninstalled iTunes completely, and now when I try to reinstall it I still get the 'insufficient privileges' notification. I tried following the steps in initial post, but it still doesn't work. FYI - my computer is an HP ProBook running Windows 7 and has a 64-bit operating system. It is a home computer, and I am the main account on it.

Any help would be appreciated!

KarlyR

Level 1

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Jun 10, 2013 12:18 PM in response to KarlyR

Nevermind! I forgot to reboot the system. After reboot, it installed fine. Thank you for your help!

Jul 2, 2013 7:23 PM in response to K Gazow

Hey

I need help with number four i dont know where to put UAC ? any help thank you

4.Click on the windows icon and put UAC ?

Jul 2, 2013 7:33 PM in response to secularactivist

Can you please tell me how to do this procedure im new to computers and i cant acces itunes nomore because i dont have the privelage. thanks

Sep 17, 2013 10:22 PM in response to Carlos.2014

@Carlos.2014

You'd want to use the search box (with the magnifying glass) and type in the three letters: UAC there. Change User Account Control Settings will appear as an option. Click that. Then slide the slider to Never notify (this is just temporary, the instructions explain how to change it back after this is done). Then choose OK / Apply. This will require a restart. If for some reason you are not prompted to restart, please do so after applying the settings.

If you have more specific questions on how to follow the steps please reply, I will try to clarify as much as I can.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --

These steps worked perfectly for me! Thanks so much to the author of the thread, K Gazow! Thanks for taking the time to post such an elusive solution! 😀

Oct 4, 2013 11:09 AM in response to K Gazow

i need help on these steps. I am going to the installer but i cant right click too find properties? please help i have been trying too fix this all day 😟

Oct 28, 2013 3:47 PM in response to K Gazow

I cant find the unblock button after selecting properties someone please help.

Nov 18, 2013 12:23 PM in response to K Gazow

K Gazow,

Another, now happy, iTunes user! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

🙂

Nov 27, 2013 8:39 AM in response to K Gazow

hey guys, so i don't know if anyone noticed but i believe the main issue is that the folder itself has corrupted permissions. what i did was take ownership of the specific folder in question. after that all my issues were resolved. just follow these simple instructions, after that go to the folder, right click and "take ownership" saved me the trouble of having to reinstall the entire OS to fix it. (btw it shows its for vista, but it works for win 7)

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/add-take-ownership-to-explorer-righ t-click-menu-in-vista/

Nov 28, 2013 8:53 AM in response to zacwhite01

zacwhite01, I tried what you said but it still isn't working for me.

I've tried and tried, but this issue is still persisting. All I want to do is install iTunes so I can use my iPod again, but I'm getting extremely frustrated.

Do you know of any other fixes for this issue, apart from reinstalling the entire OS, as I really do not want to do that.

Nov 28, 2013 8:55 AM in response to 121andrew

hmm..... ok, go ahead and PM me. ill get with ya to take a look and see if we can get this straightened out.

Nov 28, 2013 8:56 AM in response to zacwhite01

I've also tried what K Gazow said, but I can't find this "Unblock" button and nobody seems to want to tell me.

Nov 28, 2013 8:57 AM in response to 121andrew

doh! total blonde moment, you can't PM me haha. ok, where exactly are you getting stuck.

Nov 28, 2013 8:59 AM in response to zacwhite01

Well, when I use the iTunes installer it tells me that it has insufficent privileges and can't install into that directory.

I've tried what you said, but it just gives me the same error each time, and what K Gazow said just leaves me confused, as I can't find any unblock option.

I haven't used iTunes in a while, in around a month or two, but this is a new issue. Not sure why this is happening. I've even tried the Microsoft Fix-It, and it didn't work. I'm on Windows 7.

iTunes Update: Installer has Insufficient Privileges