How to fix "internal error cannot create temporary directory" error. Software won't install

bvoight

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May 10, 2014
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4,510
I keep getting "internal error cannot create temporary directory" when attempting to update firefox, thunderbird. I also note I can't send mail as my regular user, only when I run the mail client as adminstrator. I'm guessing it's a permissions problem, but don't know how to fix. BV
 
Solution
Man..This is strange!!!!! This error usually happens for windows8 but anyway to solve this problem an environment variable has been modified.To fix it, rightclick on comuter and then click on properties,advanced system settings,environment variables, "User variables for {user Name}" and change the TEMP and TMP vars values to "c:\temp"

Debaditya Ray

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May 9, 2014
59
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4,640
Man..This is strange!!!!! This error usually happens for windows8 but anyway to solve this problem an environment variable has been modified.To fix it, rightclick on comuter and then click on properties,advanced system settings,environment variables, "User variables for {user Name}" and change the TEMP and TMP vars values to "c:\temp"
 
Solution

bvoight

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May 10, 2014
3
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4,510

thanks, you are a gentleman and a scholar, there aren't many of us left. Worked like a charm. BV
 

bagrad00

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May 31, 2014
1
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4,510


thank you it worked like a charm. Debaditya Ray thank you
 

amols

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Jun 11, 2014
1
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4,510


I would like to "tip my hat" to you! I've been plagued with this stupid temp error for awhile. I've looked at other "solutions" with no satisfaction. Yours was brief, explicit, and worked like a charm. Thank you so much for taking the time to help users out. At this point, I'd like to rant about Windows making it sooo complicated for such a simple fix. " Advanced system settings" and "Environment variables"... really!! no wonder people run to Apple.