Access Denied Error Message in Windows Script Host (233513)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
This article was previously published under Q233513

SYMPTOMS

When you try to use a system environment variable in Windows Script Host and you are not an administrator for the computer, you may receive an 'access denied' error message.

CAUSE

This issue can occur if the system environment variables are not defined correctly.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, define the system environment variable using the Process environment. For an example about how to use the Process environment variable, view the following Visual Basic Script samples.

This script works when an administrator runs it but does not work when a user who does not have administrator permissions runs it. 
Set WSHShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
Set WSHEnv = WSHShell.Environment
WScript.Echo WSHEnv("OS")
NOTE: Notice that since there is no type specified after Environment that it will default to the "System" type.

This script works when either an administrator or non-administrator runs it. 
Set WSHShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
Set WSHEnv = WSHShell.Environment("Process")
WScript.Echo WSHEnv("OS")
NOTE: Notice that the type "Process" is specified after Environment.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/28/2004
Keywords:kbenv kbprb KB233513
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.