Windows 10: COM Surrogate when trying to copy files into protected areas like Program Files

Recently, on my Windows 10, when I'm trying to copy files into a folder that requires admin prompt, like Program Files, nothing happens. This is linked to a COM Surrogate process.


If I launch task manager, I see a COM Surrogate process taking up about 10% processor time, and it runs indefinetly I wasn't patient enough to see how long it will run.


If I terminate it, another one pops.

If I terminate it again, the prompt to allow copying appears and everything completes as normal.


Usually, after I've gone through these 2 terminations, for some time I can copy files no problem, but then the problem will return.

:)

 

Java.nio.file - Copying files

You can't copy a folder, thats why it generates an exception (you are trying to copy a folder using a copy file function).
You probably need to list all the files inside that folder and copy one by one

 

Java.nio.file - Copying files

Issue was the above, so thanks temp02.

 

Protecting files on a USB stick?

Even if you restrict access to read only, they can still copy the program. Read access is all copy needs.

My suggestion for simplicity is to create a small file on the drive and mark it hidden as well as marking it a system file, so even if they turn hidden files on the file won't show up. Put this file in a separate folder that is also marked as system, name the folder something random and windows important sounding. So even if they do find it, they won't know what it is and should ignore it. Then make the main program check for the file on execution and exit if the file isn't on the flash drive.

This should fool 90% of people unless they are pretty computer literate.