C# XmlWriter.Create() - Access to path denied

Question

I want to write a new XML file to disk but the following code gives an error.

static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            using (XmlWriter writer = XmlWriter.Create(@"C:\abc.xml"))
            {
                writer.WriteStartDocument();
                writer.WriteStartElement("Employees");
                writer.WriteEndElement();
                writer.WriteEndDocument();
            }            

            Console.ReadKey();       
       }

Can anybody help me with this?

Note: abc.xml does not already exist.

are you sure error is access to path denied? because in my PC I received "A required privilege is not held by the client." error. — Jignesh Thakker
– Jignesh Thakker, Commented Sep 23, 2012 at 18:47

Adam · Accepted Answer · 2012-09-23 18:12:20Z

3

Obviously, you don't have the right to access C:. Choose a path you have access to or run the application with higher privileges.

As a side note, for most scenarios, it's not recommended to use System.Xml anymore, use LINQ to XML (System.Xml.Linq) instead:

new XElement("Employees").Save("abc.xml"); // and a path that you have access to.

edited Sep 23, 2012 at 18:12

answered Sep 23, 2012 at 18:04

Adam

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Comments

Sebastian Ðymel · Accepted Answer · 2012-09-23 18:08:32Z

2

Depending on the system, you need administrator rights to create files @C:\

Run VS instante as administrator or change code to

 using (XmlWriter writer = XmlWriter.Create("abc.xml"))
        {
            writer.WriteStartDocument();
            writer.WriteStartElement("Employees");
            writer.WriteEndElement();
            writer.WriteEndDocument();
        }

answered Sep 23, 2012 at 18:08

Sebastian Ðymel

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1 Comment

usr-local-ΕΨΗΕΛΩΝ Over a year ago

Just to explain the above code, the difference is that in this case the "abc.xml" file is created in the same directory as YourProgram.exe (bin/Debug or bin/Release), which is writable by user running VS

Bogdan Doicin · Accepted Answer · 2019-04-06 06:30:44Z

2

Don't wanna necropost, but I just saw this post and I got the same error.

Turns out that the folder was set to:

ReadOnly

This disallows C# to write to any of the files in your solution.

To fix this, go to:

Right-Click on the main folder that houses all of your C# .sln files
Go to Properties
At the very bottom of the window will be a check named: Read-only (Only applies to files in folder)

Here is a link to what the above folder looks like:

Really stupid, but something easy to forget!

edited Apr 6, 2019 at 6:30

Bogdan Doicin

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answered Apr 6, 2019 at 2:12

KuroeKnight

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Comments

Jignesh Thakker · Accepted Answer · 2012-09-23 18:45:02Z

1

You can not write file into C:\ from VS without administrator mode. You need to run your application/VS in Admin mode to write file in C:\. Or you can create one folder in C:\ and write file in that folder.

CODE

 using (XmlWriter writer = XmlWriter.Create(@"C:\folder\abc.xml"))
 {
           writer.WriteStartDocument();
           writer.WriteStartElement("Employees");
           writer.WriteEndElement();
           writer.WriteEndDocument();
  }

In above code you don't required to run application/VS in admin mode.

Note: C:\folder must exist otherwise it throws error.

If C:\folder not exist add below code before writing file.

if (System.IO.Directory.Exists(@"C:\folder") == false)
{
    System.IO.Directory.CreateDirectory(@"C:\folder");
}

edited Sep 23, 2012 at 18:45

answered Sep 23, 2012 at 18:20

Jignesh Thakker

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7 Comments

Adam Over a year ago

That's not true: the above code doesn't work without admin privileges.

Adam Over a year ago

Your code only works if folder already exists, which it doesn't... I did try before commenting.

Jignesh Thakker Over a year ago

You can check with below step: just open one notepad file and try to save it in C:\ you get error message. Now create one folder in C:\ and try to save notepad file. you can save it successfully because you can't save directly file in C:\ but you can save file after create folder (current login user has permission(write& read) on folder) in C:\ .

Jignesh Thakker Over a year ago

yes it's obvious folder must be there. I am not saying to save file without folder. I am just gave solution to save file C:\ without running VS/Application in admin mode.

Jignesh Thakker Over a year ago

@codesparkle Think a downvote is a little harsh here. I just gave alternate solution. I already mentioned in my answer to create folder in C:\ and after that save file.

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Sarang M K · Accepted Answer · 2022-10-10 14:30:32Z

0

For people who came here with exception

XmlWriter.Create() - Access to path denied

And you have the privilege to the given path you have mentioned, then have to check your file name as well. I had the issue when I was trying to create a file with no name or with no file extension. For these cases as well we will get the above mentioned exception

answered Oct 10, 2022 at 14:30

Sarang M K

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