C# Windows Service Enviroment.GetFolderPath() returning empty string

Question

The question is pretty straight forward, I am making a Windows Service Program and the enviroment.getfolderpath isnt working.

Here is the code I have

string savePath = AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory; // this works
string savePath2 = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.Desktop); // this returns an empty string...but why?

What's the Account with which the Service is running? User/LocalSystem/LocalService/NetworkService — Akshay G
– Akshay G, Commented May 20, 2021 at 4:02
The desktop belonging to a service user is a particularly boring folder, if it even existed. It is not the same as the desktop(s) of any user(s) who are currently logged into that machine. — Damien_The_Unbeliever
– Damien_The_Unbeliever, Commented May 20, 2021 at 7:09

Akshay G · Accepted Answer · 2021-05-25 05:38:37Z

1

The documentation says

The path to the specified system special folder, if that folder physically exists on your computer; otherwise, an empty string ("").A folder will not physically exist if the operating system did not create it, the existing folder was deleted, or the folder is a virtual directory, such as My Computer, which does not correspond to a physical path.

When running the Service as a Local System it doesn't run with any specific user permissions. Hence the GetFolderPath is returning empty because it is not able to recognize the path Desktop for LocalSystem.

You can either use Environment.SpecialFolder.CommonDesktopDirectory which will give C:\Users\Public\Desktop or run the service with a specific user (in my case it's sampleuser) which will give the output as C:\Users\sampleuser\Desktop

edited May 25, 2021 at 5:38

answered May 20, 2021 at 4:26

Akshay G

2,3601 gold badge19 silver badges35 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

3 Comments

Akshay G Over a year ago

AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory is returning the value because it knows the physical path of the Service.exe. It maybe in user's desktop folder or in some other location it will always give the output. No dependence with the Account with the service is running.

Jamisco Over a year ago

The common desktop directory works perfectly, but out of curiosity , you have any idea how I can programmatically select a user account on another computer?

Akshay G Over a year ago

u can get a list of local users stackoverflow.com/questions/5247798/….. but if u have to select user programmatically to run the service.. you cannot.. It has to be configured while installing the service or you can change the LogOn. Once the service is started you cannot change the user for that service

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

C# Windows Service Enviroment.GetFolderPath() returning empty string

1 Answer 1

3 Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

3 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related