FAQ
TL;DR: 40 SMART read errors and "Check if you can access Temp" flagged Temp-folder permission issues; this guide shows how to fix rights. This FAQ targets Windows users facing 7‑Zip or setup errors about Temp access. [Elektroda, mati211p, post #17405155]
Why it matters: It helps Windows users quickly restore installer reliability by fixing %TEMP% permissions and ruling out hardware or AV side-effects.
Quick Facts
- Standard fix: give your account Full control on C:\Users\<you>\AppData\Local\Temp; installs and Mail worked afterward. [Elektroda, maro191, post #17407925]
- Symptom fingerprint: installers fail with “Can not create temp folder archive,” e.g., during Thunderbird setup showing a 7‑Zip error. [Elektroda, maro191, post #17401569]
- Health check: SMART showed 40 read errors; if rights look fine, test disk surface next. [Elektroda, mati211p, post #17405155]
- Scope clue: a new Windows account worked at first, then failed again after ~2 months; AV toggling affected behavior. [Elektroda, maro191, post #17399913]
What causes “Can not create temp folder archive” during install?
Installers extract to your per-user Temp folder. If your account lacks Full control there, extraction fails with that error. Assigning permissions restored program installs and fixed Mail for the OP. Focus on C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp. [Elektroda, maro191, post #17407925]
How do I fix Temp folder permissions so installers work?
- Open %LOCALAPPDATA% in Explorer, right-click Temp, choose Properties > Security > Advanced.
- Set Owner to your account and replace owner on subcontainers.
- Grant your account Full control, Apply, then test by creating and deleting a folder.
Run the installer again. [Elektroda, maro191, post #17407925]
How can I quickly test whether my Temp folder is accessible?
Open C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp in Explorer. Create a new folder, then delete it. If either fails, installers will fail too. Also try extracting a small 7‑Zip archive to that folder. “Check if you can access Temp from the explorer level.” [Elektroda, mati211p, post #17405155]
Why did creating a new Windows account help at first?
A new profile starts with default Temp permissions. Installs then work until permissions change or software interferes. The OP reported it worked for about two months, then blocked installs and Mail again. Treat a new account as a diagnostic, not a fix. [Elektroda, maro191, post #17399913]
Can antivirus block Temp access and cause installer errors?
Yes. Security tools can intercept writes to Temp during setup. Disabling antivirus helped the OP, but uninstalling Bitdefender did not resolve installs. After switching to Avast, installers still failed with the 7‑Zip Temp error. Fix permissions before blaming antivirus exclusively. [Elektroda, maro191, post #17401569]
How should I check disk health if installer errors persist?
Check SMART with CrystalDiskInfo and review Reallocated, Pending, and Read Error rates. The helper saw 40 read errors in SMART and advised a surface test. Disk faults can corrupt Temp writes and mimic permission issues. Replace failing disks before deeper software work. [Elektroda, mati211p, post #17405155]
What if scans show nothing malicious?
If FRST and TDSSKiller logs are clean, focus on permissions and hardware. A helper said the logs showed nothing interesting, and suggested memory and other checks. Continue with Temp ownership correction and disk tests before hunting malware. [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #17401541]
My FRST log shows a task calling conn.bat and removeSZB.exe (2,763,144 bytes). Is that related?
The FRST snippet showed a Task launching C:\conn.bat and a Temp file removeSZB.exe sized 2,763,144 bytes. That indicates prior activity in Temp, but the thread’s block came from access rights. Clear suspicious tasks later, after fixing permissions. [Elektroda, krzychupar, post #17269461]
TDSSKiller won’t start on my main account. What should I do?
Run it from a different Windows account with admin rights. The OP used a new account when TDSSKiller would not start on the current one. FRST still ran fine on the original profile. [Elektroda, maro191, post #17401278]
Will uninstalling Bitdefender fix this installer problem?
No. In this case, uninstalling Bitdefender changed nothing. Switching to Avast also did not fix installation attempts. This suggests antivirus was not the root cause. [Elektroda, maro191, post #17401569]
How do I confirm I own the Temp folder and have full rights?
Open Properties > Security > Advanced on C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp. Confirm your account is the owner and has Full control. “Check if you have full rights set and if you are the owner of the directory.” [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #17402216]
After fixing permissions, how do I confirm success quickly?
Try installing a previously failing app, such as Thunderbird, or composing a new message in Mail. The OP reported programs installed and Mail worked after assigning full rights. This is a fast validation. [Elektroda, maro191, post #17407925]
Should I change permissions on C:\Windows\Temp too?
Focus first on your per-user Temp: C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp. Do not change system Temp permissions unless a specific error points there. The helper explicitly referenced the per-user path for checks and ownership. [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #17402216]
How do I check or reset my TEMP/TMP environment variables?
Open System Properties > Advanced > Environment Variables. Verify USER variables TEMP and TMP point to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Temp. If not, set them and reboot. Microsoft documents environment variables for user-level temp paths in Windows. [Microsoft, 2023]
Could bad RAM cause installer failures?
Possibly. Memory errors can corrupt archives during extraction and cause setup crashes. The helper recommended running MemTest from memtest.org to rule out RAM issues. Test overnight for better coverage. [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #17401541]
