Process.Start throws Win32 Exception Access is Denied on Windows XP Machines

Question

I'm attempting to call an executable using Process.Start and it is throwing a Win32 Exception only on Windows XP machines. This is a console application installed on the machine.

Here's an example of the code:

var path = @"C:\mycoolpath\file.exe";
var content = "My cool content";

using (var process = Process.Start(new ProcessStartInfo(path, content)))
       process.WaitForExit();

Here's the stack trace:

System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception (0x80004005): Access is denied
   at System.Diagnostics.Process.StartWithShellExecuteEx(ProcessStartInfo startInfo)
   at System.Diagnostics.Process.Start()
   at System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(ProcessStartInfo startInfo)

Does anyone have any advice on getting this to work on Windows XP machines?

Totally wild guess, but perhaps you should grant it access so it will no longer be denied access? — user541686
What kind of application it is form where you are calling this code? Is it a windows service? — ukhardy
Under which user it is failing? Do you run under admin or user account? "throwing a Win32 Exception only on Windows XP machines" - does it mean that under ie. WinServer, Win7 it is running properly? — Tomas Voracek

strickland strickland · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-14T17:03:56

9

votes

Using UseShellExecute = false for the ProcessStartInfo lets this work.

Process.Start throws Win32 Exception Access is Denied on Windows XP Machines

1 Answers