I can't compile any class in Windows 7 C drive

Question

I've just Installed Windows 7 and I want to compile the class in C drive, but whenever I try to compile any class I'm getting an error(the following for Java):

  Unknown.java:1: error while writing
         Unknown: Unknown.class (A required
         privilege is not held by the client)

         class Unknown 
         ^ 1 error

How can I enable windows 7 to compile all the class in C drive, just like it can in other drive?

Answer 1

This can happen if permissions are incorrectly set for your C: drive.

You can take ownership of the drive like so:

• Right-click the C: Drive and click Properties.
• Go to the Security tab.
• Click Advanced then click the Owner tab.
• Make note of the current owner if you want to restore it later in case
• In the list of names select your user name, or click the Administrators group.
• Click Edit and check Replace all existing inheritable permissions on all descendants with inheritable permissions from this object to apply this recursively.
• Click OK, and then click Yes for this message:

This will replace explicitly defined permissions on all descendants of this object with inheritable permissions from C-Drive (C:). Do you wish to continue?

• Wait until the permissions are replaced, click on OK.

Answer 2

Place your code files in a subdirectory of your user directory instead of in the root of the C drive. Users are prevented from writing directly to the root C drive for security reasons.

Answer 3

If I assume you mean the root of the C drive, then this could be related to UAC which by default disallows writing files to the root of the system drive.

If you need to compile out to the root drive, then another option is to launch your application as administrator (be it the command line or some IDE). You can usually do this through the context menu of the application on the Start Menu, or the Application's executable.