[c++] Cannot open output file, permission denied

So I keep getting this error when trying to compile C++ code using CodeBlocks.

cannot open output file [filename.exe] permission denied

It only started today, and it's sporadic and inconsistent. It usually goes away if I shut CodeBlocks down and restart the project, but not always. Sometimes it even goes away when I just press F9 (build & run) several times. I always check Task Manager, but there are never any .EXEs running with my file's name, or anything related to it.

I've also noticed that if this problem occurs and I then try to delete the .EXE manually or otherwise interact with it, Windows tells me I need administrator permission to do so (this is a private PC, and as far as I know I am an administrator on it).

The first time it occurred, the only thing I had added to the code beyond what was in the previous version was a debugging report sent to cout - hardly anything arcane. It sometimes occurs even when no code was changed from a previous version.

What could this be? It's not game-breaking, yet, but it's irritating and I'd rather it didn't get worse.

EDIT: This is old by now, but just in case anyone else is having similar problems, the workaround I currently use is just to consistently delete [filename.exe] before trying to run the code again. This avoids the problem, though it is annoying.

I was having the same problem too and it was driving me crazy:

Windows7 64 bit, MinGW, Eclipse, CDT

Permission denied errors, executable disappearing, ld.exe errors. It would work once, but never again. Statements like: "cannot open output file ***.exe: Permission denied"

Check your ANTIVIRUS Software. Once I turned off my Antivirus software in workspace then cleaned the workspace and started the project over again I never had the problem again.

A major cause of this (which I had recently), is if you have this on for example a flash drive.

You can develop and do everything, but on most systems it stops you from running the .exe file from there, whether it be the debug or release version.

I have tried and get output after end task IDE from task manager. Later clean all temporary files from your drive. Start your IDE. Now your .exe working good.

well,once i had the same problem and after tracking down the process that was getting the file in use i discovered that it was the anti-virus (PANDA) ...i just unlocked the file and simply worked out ....well for my experience i used Unlock 1.9.2 ...try iy out ..

You can use process explorer from sysinternals to find which process has a file open.

Hello I realize this post is old, but here is my opinion anyway. This error arises when you close the console output window using the close icon instead of pressing "any key to continue"

I had the same Problem. Just rename your .CPP file to other name and try it again. It worked for me.

Try restarting your IDE. It worked for me. Although I tried to end the process in the task manager, the process never got killed.

In my case - I found a process called

cb_console_runner

I stopped this process and things were ok again.

FOR LINUX OS... go to file where u r created file.then usually ......project_name/bin/Debug/project_name.executable here for this executable file you wont be having execute permission then the execute permission.Either by right click if you are unable to change permission then use use open terminal(command promt) to change permission. first go to that executable file using 'cd' command then use "chmod u+x" then permission is going to change.then go to c::b open and execute you will get output.

only thing for all file u need to do it.

I have encountered the same problem you have. I found that it may have some relationship with the way you terminate your run result. When you run your code, whether it has a printout, the debugger will call the console which print a "Press any key to continue...". If you terminate the console by pressing key, it's ok; if you do it by click the close button, the problem comes as you described. When you terminate it in the latter way, you have to wait several minutes before you can rebuild your code.

The problem is related to Sam´s response:

"have encountered the same problem you have. I found that it may have some relationship with the way you terminate your run result. When you run your code, whether it has a printout, the debugger will call the console which print a "Press any key to continue...". If you terminate the console by pressing key, it's ok; if you do it by click the close button, the problem comes as you described. When you terminate it in the latter way, you have to wait several minutes before you can rebuild your code."

Avoid kill processes, and we have two choices, wait until the process release the .EXE file or this problem will be solved faster restarting the IDE.

Make sure to run 7zip in 'Administrator mode' for extracting to Program Files.

Also, temporarily turning off virus protection worked for some people in the past.

The problem is that you don't have the administrator rights to access it as running or compilation of something is being done in the basic C drive. To eliminate this problem, run the devcpp.exe as an administrator. You could also change the permission from properties and allowing access read write modify etc for the system and by the system.

I re-installed C::B in drive D, whereas my program files folder is in drive C

I don't know the reason , but it works :)

I tried what @willll said, and it worked. I didint find exactly the .exe named after my project, but I did kill some weird looking tasks (after checking on the internet they were not critical), and it worked.

This error usually occurs when the IDE has a problem due to a crash or other failure and it still has a hold on the EXE, preventing the user (yourself) from overwriting / deleting the EXE during a rebuild.

I just had the same issue. And i experienced that it always happens when i run the programm and change some code without finishing the programm still running. After that the "cannot open ..." message appears.

However i got rid of it by clicking the "Terminate" button at the very top-right side of the console window (red button) and after that "remove all terminated launches" (two x'es right next to the terminate button). This seems to close the running programm and everything works fine after :) hope this may help anyone