`.azure` directory not accessible when using `nt authority\SYSTEM` account in 32-bit Azure CLI

[williamoconnorme]

Describe the bug

When using the Azure CLI as the SYSTEM account in Windows, the directory C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\.azure is not visible or accessible in Windows Explorer or any other shell. This is different behaviour to the 64-bit binary which makes the directory visible

Related command

az login

Errors

No errors

Issue script & Debug output

N/A

Expected behavior

The .azure directory should be accessible

Environment Summary

azure-cli 2.69.0

core 2.69.0
telemetry 1.1.0

Dependencies:
msal 1.31.2b1
azure-mgmt-resource 23.1.1

Python location 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SDKs\Azure\CLI2\python.exe'
Config directory 'C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile.azure'
Extensions directory 'C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile.azure\cliextensions'

Python (Windows) 3.12.8 (tags/v3.12.8:2dc476b, Dec 3 2024, 19:30:04) [MSC v.1942 64 bit (AMD64)]

Additional context

To reproduce, install a 32-bit version of AZ CLI. I've used version 2.69.0
Use a program such as psExec to create a PowerShell window as the SYSTEM user and begin the login flow

psexec -i -nobanner -u "nt authority\system" powershell -command "az login --use-device-code"

Check the system profile path for the existance of the directory C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\.azure

The directory will not be visible, but the debug output of az commands will show that files exist here

Try the same steps above using a 64-bit binary and you will see the .azure directory is visible

[yonzhan]

Thank you for opening this issue, we will look into it.