error message

vglaser
I've installed a new version of Zotero, and am getting an error that says I can't create the following file:

C:\Users\vglaser\AppData\Roaming\Zotero\Zotero\Profiles\rzukdadi.default\zotero\storage\3G25SCZ2\prn.marketingpromo.js

any suggestions?
  • adamsmith
    @vglaser -- could you provide the exact error message you're getting? My guess would be that security software on your computer prevents Zotero to sync this file (it's part of a webpage snapshot you've saved in Zotero).
  • vglaser
    @adamsmith the message is, "The file 'C:\Users\vglaser\AppData\Roaming\Zotero\Zotero\Profiles\rzukdadi.default\zotero\storage\3G25 SCZ2\prn.marketingpromo.js' cannot be created. Check that the file is not currently in use, that its permissions allow write access, and that it has a valid filename. Restarting your computer or disabling security software may also help."

    May be security software, but this is literally a brand new Surface Pro 4 Windows 10 machine-I haven't installed any software that did not come with Windows. And I haven't done anything with Zotero other than fire it up, have not had this issue with Apple devices in the past...
  • adamsmith
    Zotero is working otherwise, though, or is that keeping it from functioning? I'd expect this to happen during sync, is that not the case?
  • vglaser
    Yes, it seems as though Zotero is functioning. Just gives me the error on sync-ing that I can't get to go away.
  • adamsmith
    OK, so that's good. It'd certainly be worthwhile temporarily and for testing only to turn off Real-time protection in the Windows Defender settings and see if that changes things (if it does, you'll either want to remove the file or set up a more finegrained exclusion rule).

  • vglaser
    Good idea, I tried that but it didn't change the error message. Any other ideas?
  • adamsmith
    (make sure you turn real-time protection back on)
    Find this folder
    C:\Users\vglaser\AppData\Roaming\Zotero\Zotero\Profiles\rzukdadi.default\zotero\storage\

    (I think this may be hidden at some level, so you may need to show hidden files & folders in Explorer. Not sure)
    Right-click on the folder "storage" --> Properties
    and make sure the box "Read-only" under Attributes is completely unchecked (I'm guessing it has a black square in it, which means some parts of that folder are Read only). Uncheck it, click OK or Apply, and apply changes to this folder, subfolder and files in the prompt.
  • vglaser
    Well, that's definitely the issue. Unfortunately my computer isn't allowing me to change the read-only setting---it let's me do so, but shifts it back. Very frustrating...
  • adamsmith
    edited March 17, 2017
    This looks promising as an answer:
    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-files/cannot-change-read-only-file-attributes-using/b02b2254-cd4d-4e50-a68a-cae8c748d086

    but no guarantees from me. Windows permissions are a recurring oddity, unfortunately.

    edit: I'm seeing the same command confirmed on several other forums, so that's almost certainly the way to go. Don't ask me why this happened in the first place (hence oddity) or why the checkbox is there if it doesn't work (.....).
  • vglaser
    thanks for your help. that's a solution beyond my technical abilities haha. much prefer the Mac OS so far...
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