How to update a tool if "The installation path is not writable" error is shown?

The Toolbox App is unable to update tools installed in directories that the current user lacks write permissions for. In such cases, an "Update" button becomes inactive. 

 

There are two ways to resolve this issue and restore the ability to update the tool.

Reinstall the tool

The recommended method is to reinstall the tool using the Toolbox App.

  1. Open "Other versions" list from the tool actions.
  2. Install your preferred version of the tool.
  3. Check that the new version works well for you.
  4. Uninstall the old tool via the Toolbox App or through the OS.

Make the directory writable

Another solution is to make the installation path writable for the current user. Use it only if you understand the potential security risks of loosening directory permissions.

  1. Open the tool directory specified in the tool settings, e.g. C:\Program Files\JetBrains\GoLand 2023.1.3
  2. Navigate to the parent directory (e.g. C:\Program Files\JetBrains) and modify its permissions so that the current user has write access.
  3. Open the Toolbox App, click on the locknut in the top right corner and check for updates. (Ctrl+R / ⌘+R)
  4. The “Update” button should now become active.
23 out of 34 found this helpful
26 comments

The first option “Reinstall the tool” worked great for me since I don't have admin rights in the corporate VM and it's really unfair using old versions when I'm paying for the Professional Edition license. NICE HACK, JetBrains!

Today (November 14th, 2023) I tried the first option “Reinstall the tool” using latest version of JetBrains Toolbox App (JetBrains Toolbox 2.1.0.18144, Windows 10, x64

It was able to download and install the latest stable release of PyCharm: PyCharm 2023.2.5 (Professional Edition) Build #PY-232.10227.11, built on November 13, 2023…

Always keep updated your JetBrains Toolbox App!

3

Another choice: when starting toolbox,run as admin.

21

I only got this issue since updating to new Sonoma, also AS is installed under /Applicatiopns/Android Studio.app i have checked permission for current user and its Read&Write and i still cant update, any solutions for this on Mac?

1

the same problem with Sonoma, with read and write permission i am not able to update android studio

0

Hi! For macOS, could you try the following workaround? Does it help?
Go to macOS System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access. And give it full access to the Toolbox App.

10

Giving access to full disk works.

2

The same issue on Linux, Ubuntu 22.04 snap, solved the issue with `sudo snap remove phpstorm --revision <revision number>` This was only happening on the previous version of PhpStorm for me, so I removed it.

Edited by Graeme Dewe
0

Hi, thank you for Full Disk Access hotfix, but it is also security issue, will be this issue fixed in near future?

1

Hi Polak Ja. We'll investigate that in TBX-10297.

1

You Installed the Toolbox as Admin, then you cannot update as user, If you did install as admin you need to run Toolbox as Admin to install updates or remove it and re-install as User, changing the permissions as suggested is actually not ideal but it will fix the issue permanently.

0

Such a simple workaround for such a frustrating issue. Worked pefectly well. 

1

in settings, go to “Privacy & Security” → “App Management” 

under “allow the applications below to update or delete other applications”, check “Jetbrains Toolbox” 

This works for me on macOS Sonoma 

4

Standalone installators asks for elevation on Windows. Why can't Toolbox do the same? For me neither of the suggested options looks user-friendly.

1

macOS Sonoma 14.2.1: 

  1. System Settings “Privacy & Security” 
  2. “App Management” 
  3. “Allow the applications below to update or delete other applications.” 
  4. Enable for JetBrains Toolbox
1

Clemens, thanks for sharing this workaround. This issue on macOS is investigated separately. Please track  TBX-10297.

Edited by Ivan Kuzmin
0

The installation directory of my IntelliJ is writable by my user but for some reason Toolbox app still says directory is not writable.

I even reinstalled toolbox and nope, stays the same.

Frustrating experience.

4

Chadestioco, could you please create an issue in our bug tracker to investigate?

0

Suggestion by Karanocave worked! thank you!!

Another choice: when starting toolbox,run as admin.

0

Om MacOS, the good suggestion from Zhaohua Zeng  unfortunately does not work for me. The Toolbox App still indicates it cannot update IntelliJ IDEA due to directory not writable. Replacing a working update function by a broken one (with only a name as hint) is a bit frustrating.

0

I tried all tricks described above - it did not help.
I have Sonoma 14.16.1

This bug exists for almost a year - pls, fix it.

0

Running as administrator should be on the list of fixes. It might not be encouraged for corporate settings but sysadmins know that and will very obviously skip this option. It WILL be useful for everybody else. You know - personal use, hobbysits, indies. Ignoring their use cases is not nice.

0

What helped for me on macOS is to open IDE location in Finder, then right click “Get file Info” on the bottom right unlock the lock.

Then if it's says “Fetching…” just remove that user, if you don't see your account listed add it with “+” select Priviledge “Read & Write” and then select your user account and click “…” and select “Make <username> the owner” 

Message should be gone now

2

For Windows, just set the properties of the toolbox.

  1. right click on the app
  2. go to properties (alt + enter)
  3. go to tab “compatibility” → “setting” → check “run as administrator”
  4. apply and re-run your toolbox
0

Thx Justinas Urbanavicius!
It works well for me! 
I couldn't run the app as an administrator, as Ivan Kuzmin suggested because it's on a corporate laptop.
(so, obviously, I'm not an admin)

0

The Second Option Worked For Me Adding The Current User To The Directory Security With Full Permissions. Thanks

0

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