Unauthorized Access Exception DirectoryInfo.GetFiles() method

c# unauthorizedaccessexcepti
Gasta87 picture Gasta87 · Jun 3, 2013 · Viewed 7k times · Source

I wrote a program (on Windows 7) that call the method DirectoryInfo.GetFiles(), and in the folder "documents and settings", I have the exception of UnauthorizedAccess.

I tried lots of solutions, like:

create a manifest with


    `<requestedExecutionLevel level="highestAvailable" uiAccess="false" />`

and also with this

    DirectorySecurity dSecurity = Directory.GetAccessControl(dir.FullName);
    dSecurity.AddAccessRule(new FileSystemAccessRule("Luca", FileSystemRights.FullControl, AccessControlType.Allow));
    
    Directory.SetAccessControl(dir.FullName, dSecurity);

What could be the issue?

Answer

Matthew Brubaker picture Matthew Brubaker · Jul 25, 2013

First off, you should be using DirectoryInfo.EnumerateFiles(...) instead of GetFiles(...). EnumerateFiles(...) keeps you from having to get the entire list until you actually need to.

I ran into this issue a while back and found that I ended up needing to implement a replacement IEnumerable in order to be able to complete an enumeration over folders that I may only have selected access to.

You can see the result of my research in the following thread. DirectoryInfo.EnumerateFiles(...) causes UnauthorizedAccessException (and other exceptions)

Related questions

Why is access to the path denied?

I am having a problem where I am trying to delete my file but I get an exception. if (result == "Success") { if (FileUpload.HasFile) { try { File.Delete(Request.PhysicalApplicationPath + app_settings.login_images + txtUploadStatus.Text); string filename = Path.GetFileName(btnFileUpload.…

Read More
C# Registry SetValue throws UnauthorizedAccessException

Before you try to answer this with, "Do a quick Google search." I'd like to point out that I have already. Here is the situation, I have the following method that attempts to modify a registry key value. The problem …

Read More
Access denied to write to folder, Why?

Morning, I am trying to create some text files to a folder on my desktop but am getting an a message saying “UnauthorizedAccessException was unhandled” error, Access to the path ‘C:\MSGTEST’ is denied. I don’t understand why I …

Read More