ASP.net Getting the error "Access to the path is denied." while trying to upload files to my Windows Server 2008 R2 Web server

Question

I have an asp.net webapplication that uploads files to a specific folder on the Web server. locally everything works fine, but when I deploy the application to the Webserver, I begin getting the error "Access to the path "D:\Attachments\myfile.doc" is denied". I gave the "IIS AppPool" user that the application is running under full permission on the folder. I even gave "Everyone" full permissions, but with the same error.

I added the folder to the Exceptions list of the Antivirus, but with the same result. I am begining to suspect that maybe Windows Server 2008 R2 needs a trick for my upload to work. I really appreciate your help.

Thanks

Answer 1

Your asp.net account {MACHINE}\ASPNET does not have write access to that location. That is the reason why its failing.

Consider granting access rights to the resource to the ASP.NET request identity.

Right click on downloading folder Properties > Security Tab > Edit > Add > locations > choose your local machine > click OK > Type ASPNET below "Enter the object name to select" > Click Check Names Check the boxes for the desired access (Full Control). If it will not work for you do the same with Network Service

Now this should show your local {MACHINENAME}\ASPNET account, then you set the write permission to this account.

Otherwise if the application is impersonating via <identity impersonate="true"/>, the identity will be the anonymous user (typically IUSR_MACHINENAME) or the authenticated request user.

---

Or just use dedicated location for storing files in ASP.NET which is App_Data. To create it right click on your ASP.NET Project (in Visual Studio) Add > Add ASP.NET Folder > App_Data. Then you'll be able to save data to this location:

var path = Server.MapPath("~/App_Data/file.txt");
System.IO.File.WriteAllText(path, "Hello World");