Recurring file permissions issue Windows 11

[TreeFrogBandit]

Hi all,

I have a recurring issue where folder permissions seem to prevent Calibre from making changes to metadata etc. Having done some research it seems to be an issue with Windows 11 ransomware protection.

I've done loads of tweaks, but nothing seems to help - things I have tried:

1. Whitelisting all of the .exe files in the calibre and calibre\app\bin folders
2. Moving calibre library so it isn't in a protected folder
3. Running calibre in admin mode
4. turning off windows controlled folder access

None of these seems to be doing the trick though - I'm still getting errors like:

PermissionError: [WinError 5] Access is denied: 'C:\\Users\\wjrol\\AppData\\Local\\Temp\\calibre-canri4i4\\pb3vyj3hcallib\\.calnotes\\backup'

Has anybody successfully dealt with this problem and how did you manage it?

Thanks!

[BetterRed]

Try setting CALIBRE_TEMP_DIR to something like C:\!Calibre\Temp.

See ==>> Environment variables

BR

[JSWolf]

Run Windows Explorer as Administrator. to do this...

1. Run Windows Explorer
2. Go to C:\Windows
3. Scroll down and find explorer.exe
4. Right click on explorer.exe and select Run as Administrator
5. In the new instance of of Windows Explorer, go to %temp% and then on the toolbar click the up arrow
6. Right click on temp and select properties
7. Click the sharing tab and set the permissions for your account

That should do it.

[TreeFrogBandit]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Try setting CALIBRE_TEMP_DIR to something like C:\!Calibre\Temp.

See ==>> Environment variables

BR

Thanks BetterRed I'm a bit confused though - Running windows, do I just put

CALIBRE_TEMP_DIR = C:\!Calibre\Temp

in the windows list of paths? Or do I need to make some changes in the calibre program itself?

[JSWolf]

My way will solve your problem and any future problems with any other programs that use temp.

[TreeFrogBandit]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

My way will solve your problem and any future problems with any other programs that use temp.

Sorry - tried it, and windows immediately reverts it to read only

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by TreeFrogBandit

Sorry - tried it, and windows immediately reverts it to read only

How does Windows revert to read only? Are you running Windows Explorer as administrator.

[TreeFrogBandit]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

How does Windows revert to read only? Are you running Windows Explorer as administrator.

That's a bloody good question. I was assuming it was a ransomware detection issue, but if it's doing the same thing to explorer, then that's very strange.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by TreeFrogBandit

That's a bloody good question. I was assuming it was a ransomware detection issue, but if it's doing the same thing to explorer, then that's very strange.

Try again after truing off your AV and if that doesn't work, try safe-mode.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by TreeFrogBandit

That's a bloody good question. I was assuming it was a ransomware detection issue, but if it's doing the same thing to explorer, then that's very strange.

Try again after turning off your AV and if that doesn't work, try safe-mode.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by TreeFrogBandit

Thanks BetterRed I'm a bit confused though - Running windows, do I just put

CALIBRE_TEMP_DIR = C:\!Calibre\Temp

in the windows list of paths? Or do I need to make some changes in the calibre program itself?

Search for "Advanced system settings" (or Settings->System->About->Advanced system settings (it's on the right)) and then:



BR

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Search for "Advanced system settings" (or Settings->System->About->Advanced system settings (it's on the right)) and then:

Attachment 215933

BR

It would be better (IMHO) to help the OP sort out his permission error is in the system's temp directory.

[TreeFrogBandit]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Search for "Advanced system settings" (or Settings->System->About->Advanced system settings (it's on the right)) and then:

Attachment 215933

BR

Thanks BR - sorry for the delay in responding - Mobile Read isn't loading for me in chrome for some reason...

I made the change you recommended and it (sort of) worked. The catalogue function in Calibre managed to run without the error message popping up, but then the next time I tried to run calibre it wouldn't load until I reversed the changes.

Am I correct (and please chip in here @JSWolf) in assuming that this is a windows problem rather than a calibre problem?

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by TreeFrogBandit

Thanks BR - sorry for the delay in responding - Mobile Read isn't loading for me in chrome for some reason...

I made the change you recommended and it (sort of) worked. The catalogue function in Calibre managed to run without the error message popping up, but then the next time I tried to run calibre it wouldn't load until I reversed the changes.

That's weird - did you look in the temp location e.g. C:\!Calibre\Temp - should be empty when calibre not running.

Originally Posted by TreeFrogBandit

Am I correct (and please chip in here @JSWolf) in assuming that this is a windows problem rather than a calibre problem?

Definitely not a calibre problem, if it were this board would light up like a NYE firework show.

It's either Windows configuration or a third party app. Did you try Safe mode. If it's okay there, it's probably a 3rd party app you run at startup.

Added: MR has been been under a sustained DDOS attack for several days.

BR

[TreeFrogBandit]

Thanks BR, it looks like I'm about to go on a quest to fix Windows... Joy.