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The Windows installer when run for the first time on Windows 7 is suggesting “Program Files (x86)” for the installation directory. However, installation into this directory will fail because of security restrictions.
- Installer is placing also the “data_dir” under the Program Files. When startup.bat script is launched the startup process is trying to write something into the read-only data_dir and GeoServer will not start.
- Installer does not allow to select another initial data_dir location but it is automatically placed under the main GeoServer directory. Empty directory is not accepted as an alternativie data_dir location but the directory must look like an old, already valid data_dir. However, it is possible to use an existing data_dir from some other place. This does not still make installation into “Program Files” to work. Startup is progressing further but then Jetty is trying to write into its log file that is in a forbidden place.
Installer works if some ordinary directory is used as main installation directory.
Possible fixes:
- Make installer to deny installation into “Program Files” or “Program Files (x86)”.
- Allow installation into “Program Files” but modify installer and let user to select also an empty directory. for “data_dir”. Empty directory would be populated with demo data. Installer must not allow to place “data_dir” under “Program Files”.
- Place data_dir automatically to some allowed place like ApplicationData.
- In addition to 2) or 3) change the location of the log files of Jetty.
- Minimal solution would be to change the default installation directory into “C:\GeoServer” and write into the installation manual that “Program Files” must not be used.
From this list the alternatives to select from seem to be
a) 1)
b) 5)
c) 4) together with either 2) or 3)
I tested installation as a normal Windows user and I gave the admin password for running the installer. I did not test installation into “Program Files” and running Geoserver while logged in as administrator but that is anyway so bad habbit that Geoserver installer must not rely on that.
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Major
