Can't open user profile directory, because you lack sufficient privileges'.

[A Former User]

A Former User last edited by leocg

Unable to Log-In - Notification says: 'Can't open user profile directory, because you lack sufficient privileges'.

What does this mean & how do I rectify ?*

[burnout426]

burnout426 Volunteer last edited by

It seems that Opera is having trouble reading its profile directory. By default, that should be located at "C:\Users\yourusername\AppData\Roaming\Opera Software\Opera Stable". You should check the properties of the Opera Software folder and all of its folders and files in it to make sure things are not set to read only and that your Windows user account has access to read, write files in there.

One thing I'd just try first is to rename the "Opera Stable" folder while Opera is closed. Then, start Opera up and it'll create a new profile for you. If that works, then it's something messed up with the old folder. If it still doesn't work, you can uninstall Opera and reinstall it. If that still doesn't work, I'd try looking for things outside of Opera that are causing it. You can also create a new user account on Windows to test with and see if Opera runs fine there.

I don't know what version of Windows you have though.

[syrinebaccar]

syrinebaccar @burnout426 last edited by

@burnout426 thank you so much,
i wish i had found this from the beginning.

[sgunhouse]

sgunhouse Moderator Volunteer last edited by

If it happens, it means you ran Opera as administrator at some point (probably because you ran the installer as adminitrator).

[schmako]

schmako last edited by

Here is, what helped me:

1. Close running Opera
2. Rename folder with profile: "C:\users%username%\AppData\Roaming\Opera Software\Opera Stable" to ".\Opera Stable old" (The "healthy" profile should be "Opera Stable 2, 3,..." depends in what phase of crash you are now - basicly it is the largest folder"
3. Install latest version of Opera from offline installer
4. Close again the automatic-opened failed try
5. Rename folder with profile: "C:\users%username%\AppData\Roaming\Opera Software\Opera Stable" to ".\Opera Stable bad"
6. Create in folder "C:\users%username%\AppData\Roaming\Opera Software" new own folder ".\Opera Stable"
7. Take ownership of folder "Opera Stable old" EVEN if you are owner already
8. Copy everything from folder "Opera Stable old" into your new folder "Opera Stable"
9. Opera should start normally.

[burnout426]

burnout426 Volunteer last edited by

Looking at https://thesolving.com/server-room/how-to-reset-ntfs-permissions-with-icacls/, it looks like you could open up a command prompt (with the user you run Opera with, not the administrator) and run these commands to retake ownership of all Opera profile folders and cache folders (and their files) and reset permissions on all of them.

Take ownership:

takeown /F "C:\Users\yourusername\AppData\Roaming\Opera Software" /R /D Y

takeown /F "C:\Users\yourusername\AppData\Local\Opera Software" /R /D Y

Reset permissions:

icacls "C:\Users\yourusername\AppData\Roaming\Opera Software" /T /Q /C /RESET

icacls "C:\Users\yourusername\AppData\Local\Opera Software" /T /Q /C /RESET

(replace "yourusername" with the name of your user folder as seen in "C:\Users").

[Pokerdd]

Pokerdd last edited by

Thanks a-lot, I got the solution and worked really well for me.
It was a real headache, and now I am okay.

Regards,
Idm Kuyhaa

[tonyr1973]

tonyr1973 last edited by

In my case, the nVidia nView desktop manager was causing this problem. I uninstalled it, and the problem immediately disappeared. Go figure.

[Hafiz10m]

Hafiz10m @burnout426 last edited by

@burnout426 Helpful

[jediknight36]

jediknight36 @burnout426 last edited by

@burnout426 Super helpful, thank you.

[Anawilliam]

Anawilliam Banned @burnout426 last edited by

@burnout426 I have the same problem, thanks for your help

[plinthmarvin]

plinthmarvin last edited by

In case anyone else runs into this problem, I was able to solve it quickly this way:

1. In your Opera install folder, right-click the Profile folder.
2. In the Properties window that appears, clear the "Read-only" checkbox.
3. When the confirmation dialog box appears, select the checkbox that says "Apply changes to this folder only", and click OK.

I don't know if it'll work for everyone—but it worked for me, and took only a few seconds. Cheers!

[rjross2013]

rjross2013 last edited by leocg

Hello to anyone having this issue still in 2023! For anyone that has tried all steps and has not found a solution without losing your profile, please try this first.
The tool called Windows Repair Toolbox is designed to help with almost any fixable issue with windows. One you get the program from their official website Free you can then open it and use the account fixer under repairs.
Only use this After you do an SFC check under the windows options please to avoid any corrupted files or permissions causing headaches.
The program creates another account for you and compares all permissions and such to fix the old profile. Works like a charm