I've discovered that the folder c:\windows\Downloaded Program Files\ where IE puts ActiveX plugins that have been installed ... is seriously locked down in windows 8.1
The situation I'm seeing is that we've got a web scanning plugin that in win 7, one can manually install if they're having issues - just copy the correct DLL into c:\windows\Downloaded Program Files\ then the plugin should work just fine.
And in win 7 it works like that. However, while working with a user who had windows 8.1, he was unable to write to that directory and unable to do anything with permisions for it even when running as local administrator.
I found the same to be true on my windows 8.1 system
REPRO: on win7 as an administrator, try copying some random innocuous file to c:\windows\Downloaded Program Files\
It works fine Repeat (also as an administrative user) on a machine running Windows 8.1 it won't let you
I recognize that this is likely a security measure to help fight malware... but I'm stymied... is there any simple fix that won't involve hacking the registry, killing a service, or otherwise opening up the PC to major security issues and/or instability?
(I'm ok with "no" but I'd like to ~know~ rather than guess here)
It also begs the question "how in heck to valid plugins get installed there then?"