Affected PC users reported that when this error occurs, they are unable to open certain installed programs on their devices, like Chrome and Norton Internet Security. Also, Windows Update keeps throwing the There were some problems installing updates errors.
INTERNAL ERROR: Cannot create temporary directory
If you are faced with this issue, you can try our recommended solutions below in no particular order and see if that helps to resolve the INTERNAL ERROR: Cannot create temporary directory issue that has occurred on your Windows 11/10 device. Let’s take a look at the description of the process involved concerning each of the listed solutions.
1] Run Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter
If you have encountered the INTERNAL ERROR: cannot create temporary directory issue on your Windows 11/10 device when you try to install a software, you can run the Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter from Microsoft and see if that helps. The Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter helps you automatically repair issues when you’re blocked from installing or removing programs. It also fixes corrupted registry keys.
2] Run the File and Folder Troubleshooter
Run the File and Folder Troubleshooter and see if the error in hand is fixed.
3] Run the executable file with Admin privilege
If running the Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter didn’t help, you can run the executable file with admin privilege and see if the software installs successfully without throwing the error in view. Try the next solution if the error reappears.
4] Run Disk Cleanup
Some files will be generated in a temp directory of the C: drive when you try to install a program on your Windows 11/10 computer. This error can occur if the available space of the system drive is insufficient or if you do not have the permission to create a temp directory there. In this case, check/analyze the available space of C: drive – and if the space is not enough, run Disk Cleanup on the drive or clean up Hard Disk via the Settings app on your device.
5] Run CHKDSK
This solution requires you to run CHKDSK to repair bad or corrupted sectors that can give rise to inconsistencies on the drive integrity which consequently can trigger the error in view. To run CHKDSK, do the following:
Press Windows key + R to invoke the Run dialog.In the Run dialog box, type cmd and then press CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER to open Command Prompt in admin/elevated mode.In the command prompt window, type the command below and hit Enter.
You will receive the following message:
Tap Y key on the keyboard and then reboot your computer to let CHKDSK to check and fix the errors on the computer hard drive.
After CHKDSK completes, check to see if the issue is resolved. Otherwise, try the next solution.
6] Assign Full Control permissions to the Temp folder
This solution requires you to assign Full Control permissions to the Temp folder residing on the system drive on your Windows 11/10 PC. This should only be used as a temporary measure and once your work is done, you should revert the folder’s Permissions back to its default.
7] Manually create new Temp folder
This solution requires you to manually create new Temporary files folder and name it Temp on the system drive and change the variables. Do the following:
Open System Properties.Click on Advanced System Settings.Navigate to the Advanced tab.Click on the Environment Variables button at the bottom.Double-click on TEMP from the box at the top.Now, replace the value below in the field:
with
Click OK > OK.Click Apply > OK to exit System Properties.
If the issue is still unresolved, you van try the next solution.
8] Format partition/drive
This solution requires you to format the partition/drive. Alternatively, you can create a new partition on your drive, and if need be create a Temp folder and see if that helps.
9] Perform System Restore
If previously you don’t get this error when you boot your Windows 11/10 computer or when you try to install a software on your device, then it’s entirely possible that the issue was facilitated by a change that your system has gone through recently that you are unaware of. In this case, since you have no idea what changed that might be triggering the error in view, you can perform System Restore (any changes like application installs, user preferences and anything else made after the restore point will be lost) to revert to a date prior to when the issue started.
10] Reset Windows 11/10
At this point, if nothing has worked for you and the issue in hand persists, you can reset Windows 11/10 to have the issue resolved. Choose the option to keep your personal files when performing the reset operation on your device. Hope this helps! Related post: Unable to execute file in temporary directory error, Error 5, Access Is Denied
How do I fix my Temp folder?
To fix the Temp folder on your Windows 11/10 PC, you can change the control over the Temp folder. Here’s how:
Open File Explorer.Navigate to C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local.Right-click the Temp folder, and select Properties from the menu.Inside the Properties sheet, go to the Security tab.Click on Everyone.Click Edit.Make sure that the Full Control box is checked.Click OK to save the settings.
How do I fix Unable to create a temporary file?
To fix the Unable to create a temporary file on your Windows device, do the following: Navigate to C:\Users[Username]\AppData\Local (if your Windows 10 is installed in D drive, navigate to the path starting with D) and right click on the Temp folder (If you are not able to see the Temp folder, you can show hidden files/folders.
