Question

Sometimes I need to delete or replace a dll file in system32 folder of windows 7.
The code below always has Permission Denied Error :

            if (File.Exists(@"C:\Windows\system32\mydll.dll"))
            {
                fileInfo.IsReadOnly = false;
                File.Delete(@"C:\Windows\system32\mydll.dll");
            }

How can I bypass this error and replace a file in system32 folder?

Answer 1

A user doesn’t have sufficient rights to delete files from c:\windows\system32 on Windows Vista and up. Even when logged-on using an administrator account. UAC puts a stop to it. You must ask for elevation to let the user know that you are about to tinker with the private parts. That requires embedding a manifest in your program to trigger the UAC prompt. This answer shows you how.