Vista - Application Data Security in ProgramData folder

Hi there

I've been searching high and low to find an answer to my problem, but no luck.

I've got a Windows application that is using an Access Database to track user data and an XML file to track where the database is located. I'm using VS 2008 on Vista Ultimate created using VB. My Deployment Project is creating a subform under C:\ProgramData and I can get my files installed there no problem (DefaultLocation = [CommonFilesFolder]\[ProductName]). I've set the application UAC setting to run "asInvoker", uiAccess="false". The application appears to read/write and update the Access Database tables no problem but if I try to Read or Write to my XML file, in the same folder, I get "Access Denied". I have also set my application security properties to "Click once security settings" and 'Full trusted application". Still no go!!?? I'm using a simple ReadXml and Write XML commands to update the XML file. I am the Administrator on the computer.

The application will be used by any user that logs onto the computer. I really don't want to change the UAC to "requireAdministrator". I've seen referrences to "CoCreateInstanceAsAdmin" but my managed code to update the XML file is all throughout the application so I don't really want to create a separate COM for doing this updating. Also I'm not really sure how to use the "ConvertStringDescriptorToSecurityDescriptor" action in my code.

Does anybody have a simple VB solution to this problem? Should I be storing my Access Database and XML file in C:\USERS\PUBLIC? Sorry, I have tried this but I can't find a way to get my Deployment Project to referrence this folder.

Thanks Dweezil

Hi folks,

I found a problem in my code and can now read/write to my XML file. But read/write from my Access Database is not working now.

Hi again.

I think I found the problem, AGAIN!!. My bad. If all testing goes well I believe this is a non-issue.

Thanks

So what was the problem?

I'm having a similar issue, I'm not sure where I should be installing the files for my program. I thought that ProgramData is the new all user directory but when I run my program as a User I get an access denied error when I try to write to this folder (obviously because the permissions are set up that why).

So what is the best place to write files when my program is installed that all users will be able to read/write to?