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Editorial Team
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Asked: 2026-05-27T18:48:32+00:00

I need to store some temporary files from my program sometimes, currently I use

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I need to store some temporary files from my program sometimes, currently I use the AppData path which works. However, I have just been trying my program on a non Admin (guest) account on Windows. This is resulting in errors because Windows is refusing me access to the AppData folder.

What would be the most ideal path to use instead of AppData, that even a user with the lowest permissions can use?

I tried Googling this one because I am sure I have seen an article on the Microsoft website that lists the different paths and requirements needed but I can’t find it.

Thanks

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1 Answer

  1. Editorial Team

    If you want to store temporary files then use a sub-folder in the temporary directory. Use GetTempPath to find out where this is.

    Note that on all modern versions of Windows, this folder is a per-user folder and is not shared between different users. If you want a location that is shared between all users then you need the CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA folder. However, as you have discovered, standard users do not have rights to write in the folder. The standard approach is for the installation program to create a sub-folder with a permissive ACL that allows sufficient write access for standard users.

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