I have WinXP Home.

Today, I cannot uninstall programs using the Control Panel. The message was
something like: "An error occurred while trying to remove program X ..."

I cannot install programs by double-clicking. The message is: "Windows
cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the
appropriate permissions.

Until today, everything was fine.

As an experiment, I tried to "install" several programs that are already
installed, and I get the same message.

BTW: I can launch any program from Program Files by double-clicking.

Please advise.

Well it does certainly sound like a permissions problem! Has someone else
changed you user permissions or maybe you have inadvertently done so. Go into
start/control panel/user accounts and see if you have administrator
permissions.

Regards,

G. Lucas
MCP

"OldGrantonian" wrote:

> I have WinXP Home.
>
> Today, I cannot uninstall programs using the Control Panel. The message was
> something like: "An error occurred while trying to remove program X ..."
>
> I cannot install programs by double-clicking. The message is: "Windows
> cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the
> appropriate permissions.
>
> Until today, everything was fine.
>
> As an experiment, I tried to "install" several programs that are already
> installed, and I get the same message.
>
> BTW: I can launch any program from Program Files by double-clicking.
>
> Please advise.

I checked my account. I'm an administrator

However, I previously broke one of the first rules of Windows operation:
Don't even think about complaining until you have re-booted!

So, I rebooted. And everything is now fine

But thanks for your help.


"GCB" wrote:

> Well it does certainly sound like a permissions problem! Has someone else
> changed you user permissions or maybe you have inadvertently done so. Go into
> start/control panel/user accounts and see if you have administrator
> permissions.
>
> Regards,
>
> G. Lucas
> MCP
>
> "OldGrantonian" wrote:
>
> > I have WinXP Home.
> >
> > Today, I cannot uninstall programs using the Control Panel. The message was
> > something like: "An error occurred while trying to remove program X ..."
> >
> > I cannot install programs by double-clicking. The message is: "Windows
> > cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the
> > appropriate permissions.
> >
> > Until today, everything was fine.
> >
> > As an experiment, I tried to "install" several programs that are already
> > installed, and I get the same message.
> >
> > BTW: I can launch any program from Program Files by double-clicking.
> >
> > Please advise.

If nothing else works try logging on as administrator by restarting computer
and tapping F8 key until you enter a window that allows you to boot to safe
mode. Then try to uninstall the program.

--
Walt

"OldGrantonian" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:29FB62C4-EFAB-4182-802E-(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have WinXP Home.
>
> Today, I cannot uninstall programs using the Control Panel. The message
> was
> something like: "An error occurred while trying to remove program X ..."
>
> I cannot install programs by double-clicking. The message is: "Windows
> cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the
> appropriate permissions.
>
> Until today, everything was fine.
>
> As an experiment, I tried to "install" several programs that are already
> installed, and I get the same message.
>
> BTW: I can launch any program from Program Files by double-clicking.
>
> Please advise.