• 0

The folder "iTunes" is on a locked disk


Question

I've been running iTunes 64 bit on Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit for a few months and it's been working great. Suddenly I've started getting this message: "The folder "iTunes" is on a locked disk or you do not have write permissions for this folder. iTunes then fails to open. I have found that I can run it as an admin and it plays my music fine but that means I have to click through a UAC prompt and an iTunes compatability prompt everytime I run iTunes.

I am using an administrator account, I've checked my iTunes folder in Program Files and my music folder and I am the owner of both folders with full permissions (read, write, execute, etc). I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling and I've looked on Google for some suggestions but I can't seem to get to the bottom of it.

The only thing I have noticed is that every folder on my PC is marked as read only - is this normal? I've gone into properties and unchecked the read only box and applied it but when I open it back up again the read only box is checked again! Even so, I CAN write to them.

Can anyone help?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 answers to this question

Recommended Posts

  • 0

"The only thing I have noticed is that every folder on my PC is marked as read only - is this normal?"

This seems to come up every couple of weeks -- Yes the read only is NORMAL!! Windows does not use the read only attribute on folders.. And you can not set it with the explorer UI anyway. Only way to view or read the read only attrib on folder is with the attrib command from a prompt.

That is just a tri box, that allows you click through the different options of a check mark or cleared, etc.

It has NOTHING to do with your problem!

Please post the permissions of the folder -- do you have a lock on it?

post-14624-1263934961.jpg

You can be owner, you can have full control -- but with the way UAC works your account would have to elevate to gain access if for example you do not have authenticated users with access, or you account specifically or the users group, etc.

Please post a screen shot of your folder and its permissions. And we can straighten it out -- but its has nothing to do with this.

post-14624-1263935219_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

Another strange thing is that I can run iTunes fine using my wifes user account (also administrator) on the same PC.

I've reset the iTunes Media folder location on mine and I'm still getting the same message so it seems that it's nothing to do with my music folder so must be something to do with the iTunes folder in Program Files.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

Sorry, we posted at the same time. I've just uninstalled, ran a registry clean and reinstalled so I've got a clean installation and still have the same problem.

No none of the folders have the lock on - the screenshots from Program Files are attached.

There's also an iTunes folder in the Program Files (x86) folder but everything looks the same. I take it that the CREATOR/OWNER entries should be blank as they are for other folders aswell.

post-13117-1263936715_thumb.png

post-13117-1263936735_thumb.png

post-13117-1263936748_thumb.png

post-13117-1263936762_thumb.png

post-13117-1263936779_thumb.png

Edited by Plarkster
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

And what is the permissions for the user group? Just because your in the admin group does not always mean that is the permission your going to use..

And what is the exact prompt your getting - could you post a screen shot.

BTW -- how are you sure its not related to your music folders permissions? And are you running the 32 bit or the 64 bit version of itunes?

Edited by BudMan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

Here are the extra screenshots. I'm using the 64 bit version, and assumed that it wasn't a problem with my music folder as I reset the location to the default one but I guess there could still be a problem there. I'll take the screenshots of those and post back in a min.

post-13117-1263939073_thumb.png

post-13117-1263939095.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

Thats not a windows permissions error -- thats a itunes specific error.

Here a quick search finds this

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1866

Where is your music folder -- which is not in itunes folder, but under your profile.

check the permission on the lib files in your music itunes -- should be in your profile, etc.

post-14624-1263939733.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

Screenshots of C:\Users\David\My Music\iTunes\

The 'David' folder DOES have a padlock on it - is that correct?

Thats not a windows permissions error -- thats a itunes specific error.

Here a quick search finds this

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1866

Where is your music folder -- which is not in itunes folder, but under your profile.

Yeah I found that thread but as Tweak UI is for XP (unless there's a Windows 7 version) I wasn't able to follow the steps.

post-13117-1263939489_thumb.png

post-13117-1263939502_thumb.png

post-13117-1263939521_thumb.png

post-13117-1263939537_thumb.png

post-13117-1263939562_thumb.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

You should have permissions on that folder directly.

And the files.

yeah I duplicated your error by removing my specific account from the itunes folder in my music folder under my profile.

post-14624-1263940108.jpg

Did you remove the inherit flag from the folders or something -- your account should have specific permissions on all folders under your profile.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0
check the permission on the lib files in your music itunes -- should be in your profile, etc.

Ticks all the way down (apart from special permissions) for both users and administrators.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

see my edit -- your ACCOUNT should have permissions, not users or admins -- does not matter.

did you uncheck inherit flag?

post-14624-1263940401_thumb.jpg

As to resetting them -- what are the permission on your music folder? It should list you directly.. If so just have the itunes folder inherit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

Is there any way I can just reset all the iTunes permissions to default? I thought by uninstalling and reinstalling it would do this but it looks like it hasn't.

see my edit -- your ACCOUNT should have permissions, not users or admins -- does not matter.

So you mean the 'David' folder?

The HomeUsers group doesn't have ANY permissions - I tried to add them but get the following error. All other groups have all permissions (apart from special).

post-13117-1263940368_thumb.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

Not on the david folder -- users should not have permissions anyway -- your running home groups?? And shared your folders?

Its YOUR profile -- your profile folder -- your account should specifically be listed! Home users must be a homegroup thing.

But on the itunes folder your david account needs to be listed

edit: I would have to look on my homegroups test box to see what it does on permissons on the user folders.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

The music folder (on a separate partition) was shared but as I've reset it to the default location this one isn't shared.

I'm thinking I might just format and reinstall - something must have screwed up somewhere and I've already spent a few hours trying to fix it and I could have reinstalled Windows and all my apps in half that time! I'm also concerned that I've probably changed permissions that I shouldn't have while trying to fix this.

I really appreciate the help though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

Yeah -- but your profile should have your permisions on it - not just the homegroup users account.

Here I looked on my test box running homegroups -- as you can see it added the homeusers, but see my billy account.

Your account should be on every folder and file under your profile.

post-14624-1263941214_thumb.jpg

Just add your specific account and you should be good, just make sure your music and then itunes folder inherits it

edit: What I don't understand is how your account would have been removed from your own profile music and itunes folder??

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

Oh I see - the other folders in my User folder do have my actual account listed!

I've never gone into the permissions areas before so I have no idea why my account wasn't there?

I've added my user account to the My Music folder and iTunes does start now but I get the attached message about compatability (nothing is checked on the compatability tab in properties) which makes me think I have changed something I shouldn't have when trying to sort this out, but I think you have solved my problem - thanks! :)

post-13117-1263942095.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

It most likely had something to do if you moved the folder -- when you move a folder it takes the permissions with it.. When you copy a folder it inherits the permissions from the parent you copy it too, etc.

You mentioned your music folder was on a different partition, etc. So prob happened then.

So your saying when you look on your itunes shortcut it has nothing set for compatibility -- but your getting this error now?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0
Oh I see - the other folders in my User folder do have my actual account listed!

I've never gone into the permissions areas before so I have no idea why my account wasn't there?

I've added my user account to the My Music folder and iTunes does start now but I get the attached message about compatability (nothing is checked on the compatability tab in properties) which makes me think I have changed something I shouldn't have when trying to sort this out, but I think you have solved my problem - thanks! :)

Heads up, formatting your PC will not solve this problem, it's likely a folder specific problem that will reoccur even after a wipe.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0
It most likely had something to do if you moved the folder -- when you move a folder it takes the permissions with it.. When you copy a folder it inherits the permissions from the parent you copy it too, etc.

You mentioned your music folder was on a different partition, etc. So prob happened then.

So your saying when you look on your itunes shortcut it has nothing set for compatibility -- but your getting this error now?

Yeah I just have Windows and installed apps on C and all my music and videos etc on X. I've checked the permissions on the both drives and my David account is also missing there so I've added it. Strange that I've been able to read and write anyway though? I thought that because it's an admin account it would have the admin permissions but I guess not.

Yes, no compatability options are checked but am getting this new message - see screenshot. iTunes does open though.

Heads up, formatting your PC will not solve this problem, it's likely a folder specific problem that will reoccur even after a wipe.

Really? Damn. Is there no way to set everything back to default permissions then?

post-13117-1263979942_thumb.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

Hi guys.

I have encountered this same problem twice. Both times is when I configured Windows Media Center on W7 and adding the itunes music folder in the list. Cant seem to resolve it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

Hi guys.

I have encountered this same problem twice. Both times is when I configured Windows Media Center on W7 and adding the itunes music folder in the list. Cant seem to resolve it.

After reading Abdul's post, I realized this was the exact same problem I'd had. Two days ago, I tried to set up Windows Media Center so I could watch videos on my Xbox 360, but then when trying to open iTunes, NOTHING would work. Not even double-clicking a specific mp3. What I had to do was what BudMan said in an earlier post.

1. Go and find your folder named iTunes Music (For me, using Windows 7, my directory is C:\Users\Kirk\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music).

2. Right click on it, and choose Properties.

3. Go to the Security tab.

4. In the list of Group or User Names, you want one with your account name. For example, mine is Boomshine\Kirk, the format for that being COMPUTERNAME\WINDOWSUSERNAME.

5. If you don't see a user with that name, hit Edit under the box below.

6. Press Add...

7. Then in the field labeled "Enter the object names to select", type in your information from Step 4.

8. Press OK.

9. When looking at the list of Group or User Names again, make sure the information you entered is showing in the list.

10. If it isn't, go back to Step 5. Otherwise, go to Step 11.

11. Check the permissions for this "new" User on the list. Make sure the first check box, called Full Control, is checked.

12. Exit out, and attempt iTunes. You should be fixed!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.