---
title: Error During Activate Installation: Access is Denied
slug: error-during-activate-installation-access-is-denied
docTags: 
createdAt: 2025-07-27T22:52:35.447Z
---

### Example Error Message

:::BlockQuote
System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception (5): An error occurred trying to start process 
'C:\Program Files\Activate\Instances\V8 Dev\ActivateStudio.exe' 
with working directory 'C:\Program Files\Activate\Instances\V8 Dev'. 
Access is denied.

   at System.Diagnostics.Process.StartWithShellExecuteEx(ProcessStartInfo startInfo)
   at System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(ProcessStartInfo startInfo)
   at ActivateInstaller.Installer.Install(String instanceName, String installFile, 
      String destDir, InstallComponents components, String serverUrl) 
      in C:\Projects\ActivateV8\ActivateInstaller\Installer.cs\:line 308
   at ActivateInstaller.UpgradeInstance.Button1\_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e) 
      in C:\Projects\ActivateV8\ActivateInstaller\UpgradeInstance.cs\:line 120
:::

### Cause

This issue is typically caused by **Windows Defender** blocking the process. Unfortunately, no visible logs or alerts appear in Windows to indicate this.

### Solution

To resolve this, add an **exclusion** for the Activate installation path in Windows Defender:

1. Open **Windows Settings**.
2. Navigate to:
    **Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection**.
3. Scroll down and select **Manage settings** under *Virus & threat protection settings*.
4. Under **Exclusions**, click **Add or remove exclusions**.
5. Select **Add an exclusion**, then choose **Folder**.
6. Add the following path:

For **Windows Server 2016**, the steps are similar:
 **Settings > Update & Security > Windows Defender**, then scroll down to **Add an Exclusion** and select **Exclude a Folder**.

After adding the exclusion, retry the installation.