Solved Administrator doesn't have permission to save files

paulkendal

New Member
Messages
3
Hi everyone

i have just started using windows 8.1 on a new laptop and i am logged in as an administrator. i am trying to edit the hosts. txt file in

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.txt
however i keep getting this message:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.txt
You don't have permission to save in this location.
Contact the administrator to obtain permission.
Would you like to save in the My Documents folder instead?
how can i alter the permissions level. i mean, i should be logged in as an administrator so why does the system think that i am not the administrtor and where can i go to alter it.

warm regards

Paul
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba
Right click and run notepad as administrator.

Also you want to be editing C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts not C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.txt as the hosts file doesn't have a .txt extension. If you have a .txt on the end you want to rename it.

Running as an administrator allows you to adopt administrator authority by right clicking and selecting "Run as Administrator" - it doesn't automatically do it. The hosts file is owned by SYSTEM and I wouldn't change it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
    CPU
    T7600
    Memory
    3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon X1600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 800
    Hard Drives
    40GB
    Keyboard
    Apple
    Mouse
    Apple
    Internet Speed
    Varies
    Browser
    Various
    Antivirus
    Defender

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
hello AdamF

thank you so much for replying.

i am so sorry; i am not clear how i can run notepad as an administator. i went to the location of the file:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

and then tried to right click onto the hosts file so that i could open it in notepad as an administrator; but that option did not come up.

can you please explain a little bit further how i can us notepad to open a file as an administrator

really appricaite this adam

warm regards

paul
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba
Hi Paul,

You need to run Notepad as administrator and then open the file.

Go to start screen and type "Notepad". You will see the application on the right hand side of the screen. Right click on that and select "Run as Administrator". You will get a UAC pop-up saying "Allow this program to change files" or something like that. Say yes.

Now Notepad is open you can open your file (click on file, open and browse for it).

When you have made your changes save it back (click on save as) as hosts type all files (not .txt) and then check it hasn't renamed it hosts.txt. If it has renamed it then delete hosts and rename hosts.txt back to hosts.

The reason for the last bit is if you save it as .txt the file will not be used and it will not see your new servers. Normally you don't have to do that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
    CPU
    T7600
    Memory
    3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon X1600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 800
    Hard Drives
    40GB
    Keyboard
    Apple
    Mouse
    Apple
    Internet Speed
    Varies
    Browser
    Various
    Antivirus
    Defender
thank you adamF and to MilesAhead for your kind help. i got it working . you guys are the best!!

Ps Miles David is the best ever!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba
thank you adamF and to MilesAhead for your kind help. i got it working . you guys are the best!!

Ps Miles David is the best ever!!
You are welcome. I guess you mean Miles Davis or Larry David. Or both perhaps :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
    CPU
    T7600
    Memory
    3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon X1600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 800
    Hard Drives
    40GB
    Keyboard
    Apple
    Mouse
    Apple
    Internet Speed
    Varies
    Browser
    Various
    Antivirus
    Defender
thank you adamF and to MilesAhead for your kind help. i got it working . you guys are the best!!

Ps Miles David is the best ever!!

Glad you like the music of Miles. And that you got everything working. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
I am experiencing a similar issue. I have taken ownership of /Windows/System32/Drivers/etc. I have opened notepad running as administrator. Problem is I receive varying error messages when attempting to save over the old hosts file depending on how I choose to save.
Saving directly from within notepad: "The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process."
Attempting to copy the new file from desktop to hosts file location and replacing: "The action can't be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program."
I have also received a message saying: "Action can't be completed because the file is open in Cryptographic Services" if I attempt to rename the old hosts file.
Any insight you can provide would be greatly appreciated. This is a laptop that I just received as a gift and the system was freshly setup. The only changes that have been made were: 120+ Windows updates, uninstalling McAfee in order to replace it with Eset, turning off IE, and installing Firefox. Then I ran into this little hiccup editing the hosts file, which has caused me to lose access to to the internet. I simply want to revert it back to its original form and never touch it again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus X502CA
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i3 3217U /2365U Processor Intel® Chief River Chipset HM76
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    DDR3 1600(O.C.) MHz SDRAM, OnBoard Memory 4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel® HD Graphics 3000 i3-2365
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Screen Resolution
    15.6" 16:9 HD (1366x768) LED Backlight Glare panel
    Hard Drives
    WDC 500GB 5400
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Nod32
I was denied access to change my hosts file until I took ownership of it.

Here is a copy of mine if you want to try replacing yours.

Code:
# Copyright (c) 1993-2009 Microsoft Corp.#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
#      102.54.94.97     rhino.acme.com          # source server
#       38.25.63.10     x.acme.com              # x client host


# localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.
#    127.0.0.1       localhost
#    ::1             localhost


127.0.0.1       localhost

Take ownership---

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2814-take-ownership-add-context-menu-windows-8-a.html

Considering the date on my hosts file, your old one is probably the same.

Somebody else may reply with a different insight. :)

A picture---

screenshot_215.jpg
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
I have the take ownership option in my context menu and have applied it to both the hosts file by itself initially. Then moved it up to the entire "etc" folder. When that also did not resolve the issue I took over ownership of the entire "Drivers" folder. I should have explained that more clearly in the original post. I don't believe ownership or full administrative privileges is the issue here. I'm not being denied access as a user, I'm being denied the ability to save. A process or program is running that is interfering with the save, but the system is not clearly stating which process or program. I have no programs running. I even tried disabling the firewall/antivirus.

As for creating a new hosts file I did so already by opening notepad, run as administrator, and pasting the info, which looks exactly like yours so that is not the issue either. Honestly, I'm not a tech retard by any means... I'm just not Win 8 savvy (yet).

I think it may be something here since this is the module using the most system resources, but I'm not sure if I can safely disable any of these items without crashing the system. I had attempted to stop Cryptographic Services previously due to being unable to even rename the hosts file without that error message popping up and the laptop restarted by itself with a one minute warning.
 

Attachments

  • PC290002.JPG
    PC290002.JPG
    1.6 MB · Views: 82
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus X502CA
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i3 3217U /2365U Processor Intel® Chief River Chipset HM76
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    DDR3 1600(O.C.) MHz SDRAM, OnBoard Memory 4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel® HD Graphics 3000 i3-2365
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Screen Resolution
    15.6" 16:9 HD (1366x768) LED Backlight Glare panel
    Hard Drives
    WDC 500GB 5400
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Nod32
Have you tried rebooting & trying it the first thing you do ?

I've done that when I got the message something is being used by or is open in another program.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Same result even after a restart.
 

Attachments

  • PC290001-001.JPG
    PC290001-001.JPG
    876.7 KB · Views: 62

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus X502CA
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i3 3217U /2365U Processor Intel® Chief River Chipset HM76
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    DDR3 1600(O.C.) MHz SDRAM, OnBoard Memory 4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel® HD Graphics 3000 i3-2365
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Screen Resolution
    15.6" 16:9 HD (1366x768) LED Backlight Glare panel
    Hard Drives
    WDC 500GB 5400
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Nod32
What about Safe Mode ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Worked like magic. Thank you kindly David. :thumbsup:
Can you walk me through removing myself from ownership of the folders I took over?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus X502CA
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i3 3217U /2365U Processor Intel® Chief River Chipset HM76
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    DDR3 1600(O.C.) MHz SDRAM, OnBoard Memory 4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel® HD Graphics 3000 i3-2365
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Screen Resolution
    15.6" 16:9 HD (1366x768) LED Backlight Glare panel
    Hard Drives
    WDC 500GB 5400
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Nod32
@AriKnight may I ask why you need to use etc\hosts? Mine is totally commented out. But then again I'm on a Laptop just using WiFi.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
Worked like magic. Thank you kindly David. :thumbsup:
Can you walk me through removing myself from ownership of the folders I took over?

That's a tough one.

Maybe right click them & click Properties & under the Security tab, Advanced button you can remove or change ownership.

screenshot_215.jpg

&, OR

screenshot_215.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Worked like magic. Thank you kindly David. :thumbsup:
Can you walk me through removing myself from ownership of the folders I took over?

If you made a Restore Point right before the changes that may be the easiest way to reverse that accurately. Another way(for future reference) is to use a Registry save/restore like ERUNT

Reverting Registry changes with ERUNT is a bit less drastic than using a Restore Point.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
@AriKnight may I ask why you need to use etc\hosts? Mine is totally commented out. But then again I'm on a Laptop just using WiFi.
After this fiasco I won't be using the hosts file as a security measure on Win 8. I don't visit a lot of unusual sites so Adblock, Ghostery, and good old Eset NOD32 should have me covered.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus X502CA
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i3 3217U /2365U Processor Intel® Chief River Chipset HM76
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    DDR3 1600(O.C.) MHz SDRAM, OnBoard Memory 4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel® HD Graphics 3000 i3-2365
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Screen Resolution
    15.6" 16:9 HD (1366x768) LED Backlight Glare panel
    Hard Drives
    WDC 500GB 5400
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Nod32
That's a tough one.
Glad I could give you an easy question there. ;) I figured using properties was my next course of action since I didn't have any restore points, but I'm being overly careful and wanted to double check. I should be able to simply revert ownership back to the system under advanced settings correct? It does look like that is what your second picture is trying to explain. Thanks again!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus X502CA
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i3 3217U /2365U Processor Intel® Chief River Chipset HM76
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    DDR3 1600(O.C.) MHz SDRAM, OnBoard Memory 4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel® HD Graphics 3000 i3-2365
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Screen Resolution
    15.6" 16:9 HD (1366x768) LED Backlight Glare panel
    Hard Drives
    WDC 500GB 5400
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Nod32
Back
Top