Unable To Install Or Update Start10

from Stardock Forums

I have had Start 10 installed for several months now. I acquired it via Steam. This morning I was notified of an update and I tried to install it. I was met with the following error: "This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator." I edited the permissions on the following folders, adding the user "Everyone" and granting it all permissions:

  • c:\Users\my-user-name\AppData\Local\Startdock\Start10
  • c:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Start10
  • c:\ProgramData\Stardock\Start10

The problem persisted. I disabled Windows Defender, including Randsomeware folder protection, but the error persisted.

I thought uninstalling it and reinstalling it might do the trick, but found Steam claimed to uninstall it but the program continued to run and the files in the program directory were untouched. So I forced the deletion of all files. Finally the program was gone.

I rebooted, deleted out the Start 10 directories mentioned above, rebooted again, and then used Steam to try and reinstall it. The old error persists and I no longer have the ability to reinstall Start10. Can anyone help me? Note, I am using Windows 10's (build 20H2) primary Administrator account.

6,637 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Please try purge and reinstall steps as mentioned here: https://forums.stardock.com/486022/start10-support-faq#reinstalling. Just make sure to follow the steps for Steam version. Retest it. Report back here.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

 
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

I did exactly as the solution suggested, including using Steam for the reinstallation. Unfortunately, nothing has changed. Same error.

Start11 - Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10/11.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

I have forwarded your report to the Stardock support team for their review and recommendations.

Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates.

We really do appreciate your feedback, thanks.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having trouble.

This is a WIndows thing, not a Start10 one:

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/this-operation-has-been-cancelled-due-to-restrictions-while-opening-drives

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Thank you AzDude for your help.

 

@sdRohan: I just finished reading the article. Everything in Group Policy Editor on my side is not configured. The registry entry it mentioned for the missing drives bit, was not present (leading me to believe it was never configured so it couldn't be a problem). My problem is completely specific to Start10. I have other StarDock software that has installed and updated fine so far. I have a lot of software on my computer and I am a very active daily user. How is this problem not StarDock specific?

Just about everything in that article pertained to the Group Policy Editor. But those settings are system wide. That makes no sense for just the Start10 executable. It doesn't seem like a Steam problem as none of the other Steam apps have issues installing or updating (just tried 7 to be sure). Is there anything else anyone might suggest I try? I can't find anything on this issue searching the internet. I feel stuck.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

I am curious... If you turn off 'Windows Controlled Folder Access', does it work then?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/allow-an-app-to-access-controlled-folders-b5b6627a-b008-2ca2-7931-7e51e912b034

If that fails and if you create a new (test) Windows Admin account, are you able to install it under it?

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Controlled folder access has been disabled for me normally, and after double checking remains so. Creating a second admin account and installing it that way did work. Any idea why my normal Win10 admin account would all of a sudden have trouble installing Start10 files or how a new second admin account gets around this issue?

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Mulsimine, reply 7

Any idea why my normal Win10 admin account would all of a sudden have trouble installing Start10 files or how a new second admin account gets around this issue?
End of Mulsimine's quote

My initial instinct is to blame Microsoft.

After, it could be a setting change that you initially that was benign. 

For this person, the reg key edit worked:

https://forums.stardock.com/505566/get;3810041

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting sdRohan, reply 8

For this person, the reg key edit worked:

https://forums.stardock.com/505566/get;3810041
End of sdRohan's quote

Sean this worked! Thank you so much for trying to think of everything that might work. I really appreciate your dedication and support. This morning WindowsBlinds had an update and it suffered from the same error. I was frustrated thinking I would need to use the admin workaround regularly. And now I won't have to. Thank you SOOOO much :rofl:  

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Mulsimine, reply 9

Thank you SOOOO much 
End of Mulsimine's quote

You are most welcome.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager