Where can I create a directory without Administrator Rights / Privileges?

Question

I am creating a DLL that goes with a 3rd-party program. Whether or not the 3rd-party program has Administrator rights in Windows is outside my control.

The DLL needs to create a directory, but it seems like CreateDirectory won't work because it doesn't have administrator rights.

Escalating the UAC isn't an option because I am only modifying the DLL, not the 3rd-party program. I can't force the user to right-click the 3rd-party program and "Run As Administrator".

(Visual C++ 2010)

EDIT

I am trying to write to C:\\ProgramData\\ . I retrieve that path using SHGetFolderPath() and CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA .

Answer 1

Use CSIDL_APPDATA as the root folder for any user-specific directories/files, otherwise use CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA instead. Either way, create your own subfolder under the chosen root for your app/DLL, as the root folder itself is protected from being written to. Typically, an installer should create your subfolder with adequate rights, and then the app/DLL can access it as needed.

Answer 2

Read the TEMP environment variable, and use the result to create temporary files and/or directories. Use APPDATA for persistent ones.

Please note that at least APPDATA is user specific.