The folder "iTunes" is on a locked disk or you do not have write permissions for this folder

Question

The folder "iTunes" is on a locked disk or you do not have write permissions for this folder

I have scoured the internet for information and have tried multiple attempts at solving the issue. 1. I made sure all my permissions where correct. My System, Administrator, and my personal User all have full control throughout the PC. 2. I went through the properties in the iTunes folder and unchecked the Read-Only box to make sure it was not preventing me from writing. 3. I copied the .itl file into a new iTunes folder to see if that would make a difference. 4. I uninstalled everything that comes in the installer package with iTunes (Bonjour, Apple Support, etc). 5. I tried directing the iTunes .itl file to a previous version of iTunes. In all these attempts it still displays the message box: "The folder "iTunes" is on a locked disk or you do not have write permissions for this folder".

I do not understand how the disk could be locked or why is saying I do not have the proper permissions when I made sure all the permissions were given. I think something happened within the deep core files during the Windows 10 update which came into conflict with the iTunes update as this was the first iTunes update done on Windows 10. All were previously done on Windows 8.1.

Posted on Jun 20, 2018 4:46 AM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

278,425 points

Jun 24, 2018 4:43 PM in response to selymfromtoronto

iTunes for Windows is a 64-bit application and should be installed to the main Programs Files folder. This error is most likely associated with the failure to correctly create/update preference files in the locations I've highlighted rather than the location of the application.

What about C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\Cookies ?

Make it if it doesn't already exist. Make sure you and system have full access to C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer. Now try the shift-start-iTunes method to create a new library.

What anti-virus software are you running? It might help to temporarily disable it when trying to create/open a library and update your iTunes preferences.

tt2

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Answer 2

Jun 25, 2018 4:02 PM in response to selymfromtoronto

Wow I just solved it. I had to turn of Controlled Folder Access in Windows Defender. I found it through a Adobe forum website "File not found. Check the file name and t... | Adobe Community

Thanks for all your help tt2. Keep up the good work. You keep this community alive and well

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

278,425 points

Jun 24, 2018 11:55 AM in response to selymfromtoronto

Type in %appsdata% in the search box in the start menu and press enter. This should open the folder C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming. Make sure that the following folders exist, create them if they don't.

C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\Cookies

C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\Preferences

C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\Preferences\ByHost

Try again.

Otherwise see my user tip Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates. Try the tear down advice in the second box. I'm still running Windows 7 nearly everywhere so I haven't really played with the Windows Store version but there really shouldn't be any difference.

tt2

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Answer 4

turingtest2

Level 10

278,425 points

Jun 23, 2018 5:24 PM in response to selymfromtoronto

See Open a different iTunes Library file or create a new one - Apple Support. Are you able to create a new test library and make changes to it that are retained?

tt2

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Answer 5

turingtest2

Level 10

278,425 points

Jun 21, 2018 11:48 AM in response to selymfromtoronto

See Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash, in particular the set of bullet points near the end.

tt2

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Answer 6

Jun 24, 2018 8:41 AM in response to turingtest2

I can create a new library as many times as I want. The issue is saying the folder is locked or I do not have permission to make changes. I've gone through all my permissions in the Music->iTunes folder along with the installation location in Program Files, yet nothing changes. Regarding the first link you sent me, I do not see a .temp file.

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Answer 7

Jun 24, 2018 11:25 AM in response to turingtest2

Hey tt2 thanks for the all help, but it seems no options want to change anything. Do you think downloading iTunes from the Windows Store will make a difference? I'm running Windows 10 and my iTunes installation folder is in Program Files, but I also have a Program Files (x86). Do you think that would make a difference?

Thanks for putting in the time to help me.

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Answer 8

Jun 24, 2018 4:11 PM in response to turingtest2

Hey tt2,

I added both the Preferences and Preferences/ByHost folders. I uninstalled everything as you said in the tear down advice in the second box. I reinstalled iTunes in the Program Files (x86) folder hoping that would make a difference on the 64-bit machine. Unfortunately nothing has changed. The message box saying the "iTunes folder is on a locked disk or I do not have writing permissions" still appears when I run iTunes. It is able to install, but it does not want to recognize the .itl file.

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Answer 9

Jun 25, 2018 3:56 PM in response to selymfromtoronto

Hey tt2,

""\Cookies already existed. My system, Administrator, and User all have full access to ""\Roaming\AppleComputer.

When I create a new library a message box appears saying: "An existing file with the same name could not be deleted in order to create the folder "iTunes Library.itl". Please create a different folder". However, when I try to create a different folder in the Music folder a message box appears saying ""\Music\iTunes File not found. Check the file name and try again. This doesn't give me much to work with.

My only anti-virus software is Windows Defender which has never caused any issues.

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Answer 10

Jul 12, 2018 7:12 PM in response to selymfromtoronto

Thanks, this solved my issue. I'm not surprised that the "Apple Community" brain trust couldn't solve your problem. They may as well have told you to run a virus scan, then reformat your hard drive. Absolutely useless.

Thanks, again. This was huge.

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