Unable to write program user data

[robertprince]

I have installed Positron on a Windows 10 laptop but when I launch it I receive the message "Unable to write program user data" as in the screenshot below. I would appreciate any assistance as I am using Rstudio and wish to try Positron as a possible alternative. Any suggestions would be welcome.
Screenshot.docx

[lionel-]

Unable to write program user data.

A system error occurred (EPERM: operation not permitted, mkdir 'C:\Users\User\.local\state\positron\logs\20250814T231544')

Please make sure the following directories are writeable:
C:\Users\User\AppData\Roaming\Positron
C:\Users\User\.positron\extensions

It's curious that it's trying to write to ~/.local but recommending to give write permissions to ~/AppData and ~/.positron. Does the .local folder exist on your computer? Do you have write permissions to it?

[robertprince]

I have now selected "run the Program as administrator" for the Positron.exe file and it appears to be working. Thank you for your assistance.

[lionel-]

It's unsafe to run Positron as administrator, so it's really only a stopgap. The best thing would be to solve permissions on the folders themselves so that you can run Positron as an unprivileged user.

[robertprince]

Thank you for your suggestion. It got me investigating and I have now ensured that the path to C:\Users\User.local\state\positron\logs\ is given rights to: 'Full control', 'Modify' and 'Write' and Positron is now launching without Administrator rights.

[lionel-]

Perfect!