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

[A Former User]

A Former User @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

[A Former User]

A Former User 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

[SamTheDeomonFoxLord]

SamTheDeomonFoxLord last edited by

To fix the issue, all I did was use the power button to shutdown my laptop and turn it back on and the problem fixed itself

[Neoff]

Neoff last edited by

Ok so for those who are struggling with this now, heres how i fixed it:
(when i say [..] i mean non defiable like [you] is your name on the pc and "opera [GX] stable" is just if you use regular or GX version of opera, anyway)
i went to "thispc\windows\user[you]\appdata" and here whats i did from here, i went to "roaming\opera" and deleted everything there. then after that i went back to appdata and went to "local\opera software\opera [GX] stable" and deleted eveything there aswell, then i emptied the trash bin and reinstalled opera gx, then it worked fine for me!

[elmxsrevenge]

elmxsrevenge @burnout426 last edited by

@burnout426 where do i go to "C:\Users\yourusername\AppData\Roaming\Opera Software\Opera Stable"
im a little confused

[burnout426]

burnout426 Volunteer @elmxsrevenge last edited by

@elmxsrevenge In Windows Explorer (File Explorer).

For a fast way, hit Windows key + r to open the run dialog, type:

explorer "%AppData%\Opera Software"

and press enter. You'll then see the "Opera Stable" folder there.

[elmxsrevenge]

elmxsrevenge @burnout426 last edited by

@burnout426 ok. thank you so much