"Error 1303: Installer has insufficient privileges" or "Error 1304: Error writing to file" | Install | CS5, CS4, CS3 | Windows

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Issue

When you install Adobe CS3, CS4, or CS5 products, the installation log displays one of the following error messages:

  • "Error 1303: Installer has insufficient privileges to access this directory: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe. Installation cannot continue. Log on as an administrator or contact your system administrator."
  • "Error 1304: Error writing to file C:\ProgramData\Adobe\. Verify that you have access to that directory."

Solution

Do one or more of the following:

Log on as an administrator to perform the following actions.

Solution 1: Change permissions for the parent folder referenced in the error message.

The folder in the error messages appears immediately after, "this directory:" or "writing to file." The parent directory is the folder immediately before the last folder referenced in the error. In the error messages above, the parent directory to the 1304 error is C:\ProgramData\.

On Windows XP Professional

In the 1303 error message referenced above the parent directory is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\. Perform the steps below on the folder referenced in your error message. The following example uses the Application Data folder.

  1. In Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Documents And Settings\All Users\.
  2. Right-click the Application Data folder and select Properties.

    Important: If you are unable to see the Application Data folder, proceed to To show hidden files and folders, then continue with step 3.
  3. In the Application Data Properties window, select the Security tab.

    Important: If you do not see this option, proceed to To disable simple file sharing, then continue with step 4.
  4. Select Administrators (1) under Group Or User Names. If Allow is not selected for Full Control in the Permissions list, change the access control level to Allow Full Control (2).

  5. Select SYSTEM (1) under Group Or User Names. If Allow is not selected for Full Control in the Permissions list, change the access control level to Allow Full Control (2).

  6. On the Security tab (1), click Advanced (2).

  7. Select Replace Permission Entries On All Child Objects With Entries Shown Here That Apply To Child Objects (1) and click OK (2).

    • If a Security dialog appears, click Yes to continue.
  8. Click OK to close the Application Data Properties dialog box.
  9. Install the CS3, CS4, or CS5 products.

On Windows XP Home

In the 1303 error message referenced above the parent directory is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\. Perform the steps below on the folder referenced in your error message. The following example uses the Application Data folder.

  1. In Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Documents And Settings\All Users\.
  2. Right-click the Application Data folder and select Properties.

    Important: If you are unable to see the Application Data folder, proceed to To show hidden files and folders then continue with step 3.
  3. In the Shared Documents Properties window, select the Sharing tab. Select Share This Folder.
  4. Click Permissions, and select Everyone in Group Or User Names.
  5. Select Allow next to Full Control in Permissions, and then click OK.
  6. Click OK to close the Application Data Properties window.
  7. Install the CS3, CS4, or CS5 products.

If sharing the folder does not resolve the issue you can reset the permissions by correcting the permissions in safe mode.

  1. Shut down the computer.
  2. Wait 5 seconds and turn the computer back on.
  3. Press and hold down the F8 key the second the Windows Logo appears.

    Note: You can also press and hold F8 a few moments before the Windows Logo appears.
  4. Proceed to Windows XP Professional.

    Important: Restart the computer before proceeding to step 9 Install CS3, CS4, or CS5 products.

On Windows Vista/7

In the 1304 error message referenced above the parent directory is C:\ProgramData. Perform the steps below on the folder referenced in your error message. The following example uses the ProgamData folder.

  1. In Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\.
  2. Right-click ProgramData and select Properties.

    Important: If you are unable to see the ProgramData folder, proceed to To show hidden files and folders, then continue with step 3.
  3. In the ProgramData Properties window, select the Security tab (1). Click Advanced (2).

  4. In the Advanced Security Properties For ProgramData window, select the Owner tab (1). Click Edit (2).

  5. Select the Administrators group (1) under Change Owner To, select Replace Owner On Subcontainers And Objects (2), and click OK (3).

    • If a Windows Security dialog appears, click Yes to continue.

  6. Click OK to close the Advanced Security Properties for ProgramData window.
  7. Click OK to close ProgramData Properties dialog box.
  8. Right-click ProgramData and select Properties.
  9. In the ProgramData Properties window, select the Security tab. Click Advanced.
  10. In the Advanced Security Properties For ProgramData window, select the Permissions tab (1). Click Edit (2).

  11. Verify that the value of the Permissions column for SYSTEM and Administrators say Full Control.
    • If the value does not indicate Full Control.
    1. Deselect Include Inheritable Permissions From This Object's Parent and click Apply.

      Note: You can encounter a few dialog boxes s to confirm that action. Copy the permissions and accept any security warnings.
    2. Click Edit.
    3. Select Full Control and click OK.
  12. Select Replace All Existing Inheritable Permissions On All Descendents With Inheritable Permissions From This Object (1). Click OK (2).

  13. Click OK to close the Advanced Security Properties for ProgramData window.
  14. Click OK to close ProgramData Properties dialog box.
  15. Install the CS3, CS4, or CS5 products.

Solution 2: Correct permissions from the Command Prompt.

Use a Command Prompt window to manually assign the full administrator access that the installer needs.

On Windows XP

In the 1303 error message referenced above the parent directory is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\. Perform the steps below on the folder referenced in your error message. The following example uses the Application Data folder.

  1. Choose Start > Run.
  2. Type cmd in the Open textbox. Then click OK. A Command Prompt window opens.
  3. In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands exactly as they appear below, including all spaces and quotation marks. Press Enter at the end of each line.



    cacls "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users" /T /E /C /G administrators:F

    exit

     
  4. Install the CS3, CS4, or CS5 products.

On Windows Vista

In the 1304 error message referenced above the parent directory is C:\ProgramData. Perform the steps below on the folder referenced in your error message. The following example uses the ProgamData folder.

  1. Choose  Start > All Programs > Accessories.
  2. Right-click the Command Prompt and select Run As Administrator. A Command Prompt window opens.
  3. In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands exactly as they appear below, including all spaces and quotation marks. Press Enter at the end of each line.



    icacls "c:\ProgramData" /T /C /grant administrators:F

    exit

  4. Install the CS3, CS4, or CS5 products.

Enabling and disabling Hidden Files and Folders

On Windows XP

To show hidden files and folder:

  1. Choose Organize > Folder And Search Options.
  2. In the Folder Options window, select the View tab.
  3. In Advanced Settings, select Show Hidden Files And Folders.
  4. Click OK to close the Folder Options window.

To hide hidden files and folders:

  1. Choose Organize > Folder And Search Options.
  2. In the Folder Options window, select the View tab.
  3. In Advanced Settings, select Do not show Hidden Files And Folders.
  4. Click OK to close the Folder Options window.

On Windows Vista/7

To show hidden files and folder:

  1. Choose Organize > Folder And Search Options.
  2. In the Folder Options window, select the View tab.
  3. In Advanced Settings, select Show Hidden Files And Folders.
  4. Click OK to close the Folder Options window.

To hide hidden files and folders:

  1. Choose Organize > Folder And Search Options.
  2. In the Folder Options window, select the View tab.
  3. In Advanced Settings, select Do not show Hidden Files And Folders.
  4. Click OK to close the Folder Options window.

Enabling and disabling simple file sharing

On Windows XP

To disable simple file sharing:

  1. Choose Start > My Computer.
  2. Choose Tools > Folder Options.
  3. In the Folder Options window, select the View tab.
  4. In the Advanced Settings, deselect Use Simple File Sharing.
  5. Click OK to close the Folder Options window.

To enable simple file sharing:

  1. Choose Start > My Computer.
  2. Choose Tools > Folder Options.
  3. In the Folder Options window, select the View tab.
  4. In the Advanced Settings, select Use Simple File Sharing.
  5. Click OK to close the Folder Options window.

Adobe Creative Suite installation log

The Adobe Creative Suite installer log contains detailed messages on why the install failed (or succeeded). The log file can assist you in diagnosing the problem faster. Every attempted installation appends information to the previous installation log. Deleting the current installation log and running the installation again can simplify the troubleshooting process. The log file is created on both Windows and Mac OS. The error messages contained differs in format because of operating system differences. For additional information on finding and reading the installation log, see the following documents:

The solutions below reference the most common locations of the errors.

  1. Using the information above navigate to the installation log file.
  2. Search the log files for Error 1303 and Error 1304.
  3. Record the paths identified near the error message.

    Note: The folder in the error messages appears immediately after, "this directory:" or "writing to file". The parent directory is the folder immediately before the last folder referenced in the error. In the error messages above, the parent directory to the 1304 error is C:\ProgramData\.

Additional information

These errors indicate that the Adobe Creative Suite 3 installer was unable to access the file or directory identified in the error message. The folder or file causing the error can be identified in the Adobe Creative Suite installation log. 

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