PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'C:\\my\\path\\here'

[andreyrisukhin]

Hello! I'd like some help resolving an error I get when running pyinstaller to package my project.

I'm running pyinstaller in a miniconda3 prompt, and get quite a bit of output (up to 5359 INFO), after which there is a traceback and the error message PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'C:\\my\\path\\here'

Looking online, I need to run the prompt as an admin, but I am not sure how to do this with miniconda3. Is there a solution you can recommend?

Thank you!

[bwoodsend]

No, that's a really misleading Windows error. You should never need admin for PyInstaller. PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: actually means any of:

• You tried to read or write a file which already exists but is a folder (usually that just means delete the folder that's in the way).
• You tried to move or replace a file which is open in another application. This is very common in PyInstaller if you open a command prompt or file explorer inside the dist folder, then try to rebuild your program. PyInstaller wants to replace the contents of dist but it's already open in your prompt/explorer. In which case, close the offending programs.

If you give us the full error traceback and the command you ran to get it then I can tell you which case it is and how to solve.

[bwoodsend]

Like I say, I can't tell with just a stacktrace. Raise a new issue and provide a complete example code.

[malvinjohnny]

def uploadToBlobStorage(file_path,file_name):
   blob_service_client = BlobServiceClient.from_connection_string(connection_string)
   blob_client = blob_service_client.get_blob_client(container=container_name, blob=file_name)
   with open(file_path,"rb") as data:
      blob_client.upload_blob(data)
   print(f"Uploaded {file_name}.")
# calling a function to perform upload
uploadToBlobStorage('E:/azure','D0002.dcm')

I'm facing the same challenge and getting this:

(env) PS J:\third_part> python run.py
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "J:\third_part\run.py", line 1, in <module>
    from huk import  app
  File "J:\third_part\huk\__init__.py", line 31, in <module>
    from huk import  routes
  File "J:\third_part\huk\routes.py", line 258, in <module>
    uploadToBlobStorage('E:/azure','D0002.dcm')
  File "J:\third_part\huk\routes.py", line 254, in uploadToBlobStorage
    with open(file_path,"rb") as data:
PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'E:/azure'

[bwoodsend]

Presumably E:/azure is a directory - not a file.

[manjU-hash]

import logging
import os
import uuid
from datetime import datetime
import os
import pandas as pd
from datetime import datetime, timedelta

def process_files(hotel_name):
# Convert the excel file to csv for ingestion
ts = datetime.now()
hotel_name = hotel_name.replace(' ', '')
filename = 'data{0}{1}.csv'.format(hotel_name, ts.strftime('%Y%m%d%H%M%S'))

        process_file(final_filename=filename,download_path=r"C:/users/HP/OneDrive/Desktop",tz_obj=None)

def process_file(final_filename, download_path, tz_obj):

    # Read the files from the directory
    filenames = os.listdir(download_path)

    rename_dict = {
        'Occupied': 'Room On the books',
        'Available': 'Rooms Available',
        'Revenue (nights)': 'Room Revenue',
        'Occupancy': 'Occupancy',
        'Customers': 'Adults'
    }

PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'C:/users/HP/OneDrive/Desktop\All'

Please guide how to resolve

[bwoodsend]

Can't tell without a proper traceback and I suspect that process_file() is incomplete given that it doesn't process any files but I'd be surprised if it's not the same issue - you're trying to read/write to a directory.

[malvinjohnny]

I look into that thank you

…

Sent from my iPhone

On 3 Oct 2022, at 7:49 PM, Brénainn Woodsend ***@***.***> wrote:  Presumably E:/azure is a directory - not a file. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you commented.

[therealbdawg]

hey guys... having an issue here... wondering if anyone has any ideas

Running auto-py-to-exe v2.27.0
Building directory: C:\Users\BDAWG~1.LAP\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpyqt33663
Provided command: pyinstaller --noconfirm --onedir --console  "C:\Users\bdawg.LAPTOP-2CKTEBU7\Bot Business\Dentist Customer"
Recursion Limit is set to 5000
Executing: pyinstaller --noconfirm --onedir --console C:\Users\bdawg.LAPTOP-2CKTEBU7\Bot Business\Dentist Customer --distpath C:\Users\BDAWG~1.LAP\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpyqt33663\application --workpath C:\Users\BDAWG~1.LAP\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpyqt33663\build --specpath C:\Users\BDAWG~1.LAP\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpyqt33663

238375 INFO: PyInstaller: 5.4.1
238386 INFO: Python: 3.10.9
238401 INFO: Platform: Windows-10-10.0.22621-SP0
238418 INFO: wrote C:\Users\BDAWG~1.LAP\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpyqt33663\Dentist Customer.spec
238435 INFO: UPX is not available.
238450 INFO: Extending PYTHONPATH with paths
['C:\\Users\\bdawg.LAPTOP-2CKTEBU7\\Bot Business']
239589 INFO: checking Analysis
239593 INFO: Building Analysis because Analysis-04.toc is non existent
239609 INFO: Reusing cached module dependency graph...
239649 INFO: Caching module graph hooks...
239665 WARNING: Several hooks defined for module 'numpy'. Please take care they do not conflict.
239796 INFO: running Analysis Analysis-04.toc
239806 INFO: Adding Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls to dependent assemblies of final executable
  required by C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.10_3.10.2544.0_x64__qbz5n2kfra8p0\python.exe
239821 WARNING: lib not found: api-ms-win-appmodel-runtime-l1-1-0.dll dependency of C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.10_3.10.2544.0_x64__qbz5n2kfra8p0\python.exe
240051 INFO: Analyzing C:\Users\bdawg.LAPTOP-2CKTEBU7\Bot Business\Dentist Customer
An error occurred while packaging
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Users\bdawg.LAPTOP-2CKTEBU7\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.10_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python310\site-packages\auto_py_to_exe\packaging.py", line 131, in package
    run_pyinstaller()
  File "C:\Users\bdawg.LAPTOP-2CKTEBU7\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.10_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python310\site-packages\PyInstaller\__main__.py", line 179, in run
    run_build(pyi_config, spec_file, **vars(args))
  File "C:\Users\bdawg.LAPTOP-2CKTEBU7\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.10_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python310\site-packages\PyInstaller\__main__.py", line 60, in run_build
    PyInstaller.building.build_main.main(pyi_config, spec_file, **kwargs)
  File "C:\Users\bdawg.LAPTOP-2CKTEBU7\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.10_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python310\site-packages\PyInstaller\building\build_main.py", line 962, in main
    build(specfile, distpath, workpath, clean_build)
  File "C:\Users\bdawg.LAPTOP-2CKTEBU7\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.10_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python310\site-packages\PyInstaller\building\build_main.py", line 884, in build
    exec(code, spec_namespace)
  File "C:\Users\BDAWG~1.LAP\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpyqt33663\Dentist Customer.spec", line 7, in <module>
    a = Analysis(
  File "C:\Users\bdawg.LAPTOP-2CKTEBU7\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.10_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python310\site-packages\PyInstaller\building\build_main.py", line 409, in __init__
    self.__postinit__()
  File "C:\Users\bdawg.LAPTOP-2CKTEBU7\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.10_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python310\site-packages\PyInstaller\building\datastruct.py", line 173, in __postinit__
    self.assemble()
  File "C:\Users\bdawg.LAPTOP-2CKTEBU7\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.10_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python310\site-packages\PyInstaller\building\build_main.py", line 572, in assemble
    priority_scripts.append(self.graph.add_script(script))
  File "C:\Users\bdawg.LAPTOP-2CKTEBU7\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.10_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python310\site-packages\PyInstaller\depend\analysis.py", line 268, in add_script
    self._top_script_node = super().add_script(pathname)
  File "C:\Users\bdawg.LAPTOP-2CKTEBU7\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.10_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python310\site-packages\PyInstaller\lib\modulegraph\modulegraph.py", line 1415, in add_script
    with open(pathname, 'rb') as fp:
PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'C:\\Users\\bdawg.LAPTOP-2CKTEBU7\\Bot Business\\Dentist Customer'

[bwoodsend]

Looks like you gave autopytoexe C:\Users\bdawg.LAPTOP-2CKTEBU7\Bot Business\Dentist Customer as your script but it's a directory instead of a .py file.

[therealbdawg]

It was my first time making a python exe with multiple files i thought the onedir command was correct... figured it out haha.
thanks

[bgmercury]

how did you figure it out

[therealbdawg]

Don't use onedir use the other command I forget what it is

[msitez]

hello guys... I am also having an same issue here... wondering if anyone has any ideas:

C:\windows\system32>pyinstaller -F [C:\Users\uif05360\PycharmProjects\pythonProject\appl curve.py]
1893 INFO: PyInstaller: 5.7.0
1893 INFO: Python: 3.9.13 (conda)
1978 INFO: Platform: Windows-10-10.0.19044-SP0
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "C:\Users\uif05360\Anaconda3\lib\runpy.py", line 197, in run_module_as_main
return run_code(code, main_globals, None,
File "C:\Users\uif05360\Anaconda3\lib\runpy.py", line 87, in run_code
exec(code, run_globals)
File "C:\Users\uif05360\Anaconda3\Scripts\pyinstaller.exe_main.py", line 7, in
File "C:\Users\uif05360\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\PyInstaller_main.py", line 194, in console_script_run
run()
File "C:\Users\uif05360\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\PyInstaller_main.py", line 178, in run
spec_file = run_makespec(**vars(args))
File "C:\Users\uif05360\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\PyInstaller_main.py", line 54, in run_makespec
spec_file = PyInstaller.building.makespec.main(filenames, **opts)
File "C:\Users\uif05360\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\PyInstaller\building\makespec.py", line 824, in main
with open(specfnm, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as specfile:
PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'C:\windows\system32\appl.spec'

[rokm]

Move out of the c:\windows\system32 directory to user-writable working directory before you run PyInstaller.

[msitez]

how to move out of c:\windows\system32 directory, I tried to created a new folder in other disk, but the error was not eliminated:

C:\windows\system32>pyinstaller  --distpath D:\python_test\dist \python_test\appl curve.py
1894 INFO: PyInstaller: 5.7.0
1894 INFO: Python: 3.9.13 (conda)
1971 INFO: Platform: Windows-10-10.0.19044-SP0
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Users\uif05360\Anaconda3\lib\runpy.py", line 197, in _run_module_as_main
    return _run_code(code, main_globals, None,
  File "C:\Users\uif05360\Anaconda3\lib\runpy.py", line 87, in _run_code
    exec(code, run_globals)
  File "C:\Users\uif05360\Anaconda3\Scripts\pyinstaller.exe\__main__.py", line 7, in <module>
  File "C:\Users\uif05360\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\PyInstaller\__main__.py", line 194, in _console_script_run
    run()
  File "C:\Users\uif05360\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\PyInstaller\__main__.py", line 178, in run
    spec_file = run_makespec(**vars(args))
  File "C:\Users\uif05360\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\PyInstaller\__main__.py", line 54, in run_makespec
    spec_file = PyInstaller.building.makespec.main(filenames, **opts)
  File "C:\Users\uif05360\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\PyInstaller\building\makespec.py", line 824, in main
    with open(specfnm, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as specfile:
PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'C:\\windows\\system32\\appl.spec'

[bwoodsend]

cd C:\Users\uif05360

[PrinciplesKJ]

I faced the permission denied error and spent hours attempting various solutions. The issue wasn't related to folder permissions, root/admin access, or corrupted Python versions. Instead, the problem stemmed from the script's location (like some of the replies here suggested).

When using the "edit configuration" option (located at the top right of the main window), the interface prompts you for the script path in the first line. It's crucial NOT TO choose the folder itself but rather the FILE ITSELF in the tree view that appears. Otherwise, the system will attempt to access the entire folder instead of just the file. I hope this clarification helped.

[manikandanbalasubramani03]

Hi @bwoodsend
I am getting below error in console could you help me out

PS C:\Users\manikandan\Desktop\mast-duplicate> python setup.py install
running install
error: can't create or remove files in install directory

The following error occurred while trying to add or remove files in the
installation directory:

[Errno 13] Permission denied: 'C:\\Program Files\\Python310\\Lib\\site-packages\\test-easy-install-10172.write-test'

The installation directory you specified (via --install-dir, --prefix, or
the distutils default setting) was:

C:\Program Files\Python310\Lib\site-packages\

Perhaps your account does not have write access to this directory? If the
installation directory is a system-owned directory, you may need to sign in
as the administrator or "root" account. If you do not have administrative
access to this machine, you may wish to choose a different installation
directory, preferably one that is listed in your PYTHONPATH environment
variable.

For information on other options, you may wish to consult the
documentation at:

https://setuptools.readthedocs.io/en/latest/deprecated/easy_install.html

Please make the appropriate changes for your system and try again.

[bwoodsend]

That one looks like a genuine permission error caused by lack of permission. Anything in C:\Program Files\ is typically owned by admin. Lots of ways of fixing it but I'd suggest you uninstall that Python environment, then reinstall it making sure that you don't install for all users.

[bwoodsend]

I'm not your personal free consultancy service. This has nothing to do with PyInstaller which is what this forum is for.

[manikandanbalasubramani03]

ok!

[hgeorgescu]

Run python as admin in your environment.

[bwoodsend]

No, please don't do that. Unless your Python code has a legitimate reason to be manipulating admin config or admin owned files, that's precisely what you avoid doing.

[hgeorgescu]

" don't do that" but I did it and it worked.

…

On Sun, 25 Jan 2026 at 19:55, Brénainn Woodsend ***@***.***> wrote: No, please don't do that. Unless your Python code has a legitimate reason to be manipulating admin config or admin owned files, that's precisely what you avoid doing. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#5468 (reply in thread)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AMSYETJCKMEMGEYZPQO7HB34IUGSFAVCNFSM6AAAAACS2QYHDOVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43URDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHMYTKNJZHE3DGNY> . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: ***@***.*** com>