Fixing ‘You require permission from TrustedInstaller’ errors in Windows

Have you seen the error message ‘You require permission from TrustedInstaller’ when trying to make a change or install a program in Windows? Want to know what it means and what you can do about it? If that’s a yes, this is the post for you!

TrustedInstaller is a Windows Module Installer service and is part of Windows Resource Protection. It is a security feature added by Microsoft to help protect your computer. It is designed to verify software you install onto your computer and protect system files from malware and unauthorized modification. It is an important feature but doesn’t always work as advertised.

Windows Resource Protection takes ownership of Windows core files or files it needs to work properly. By taking ownership, it can prevent anyone or anything changing, deleting or corrupting them. That includes malware and users. That’s fine when everything is working properly but not so fine when it stops us installing a program we want to use.

Fix TrustedInstaller errors in Windows

You can stop TrustedInstaller preventing you installing programs but it isn’t for the faint of heart. It does not involve any deep dives into Windows core but you will be changing the ownership of certain files. If you follow these steps exactly, it will have no other impact on your computer other than allowing you to install that program. As long as you trust the program and have scanned it for malware you should be fine.

You need to have an administrator account to do this but is otherwise a piece of cake.

To take ownership of the file or folder, do this:

1. Right click the folder in question and select Properties.
2. Select the Security tab and then Advanced.
3. Select the Change text link next to Owner.
4. Type in your account name into the box and select Check Names.
5. Select the name of your account. Make sure your account has Full Control in the box.
6. Select OK twice to return to the Advanced Security Settings window.
7. Check the box next to ‘Replace owner of subcontainers and objects’.
8. Check the box next to ‘Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries from this object’ and select Apply.
9. Select OK and then Yes if prompted.

When you add your administrator account as the owner you should be granted Full Control of the folder. If you are not granted Full Control, select Add and select your account, check the box next to Full Control and select OK.

Now when you try and install the program you want to install, you should no longer see ‘You require permission from TrustedInstaller’!

If you have computer problems of any kind, the computer repair guys at Dave’s Computers in New Jersey can help. Bring your computer to our store and we will see how we can help!