CreateMutex() returns ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED on Win 10 but not on Win 7

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The CreateMutex function in Windows is used to create a mutex object, which is a synchronization primitive that can be used by multiple processes to coordinate access to a shared resource. The ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED error typically indicates that the calling process does not have the necessary permissions to create the mutex object. This issue might be related to User Account Control (UAC) settings on Windows.

Here are some steps to investigate and potentially resolve the issue:

  1. Run as Administrator:
    Make sure that the application that is calling CreateMutex is running with administrator privileges. Right-click on the application's executable and select "Run as administrator" to see if the error persists.

  2. UAC Settings:
    User Account Control (UAC) settings on Windows can impact the permissions of applications. Try adjusting UAC settings or temporarily disabling UAC to see if the issue is related to permissions.

  3. Verify Mutex Name:
    Ensure that the name you're using for the mutex object is valid and does not contain any characters that might cause issues. Mutex names are case-insensitive and can contain backslashes.

  4. Check Antivirus/Firewall Software:
    Some antivirus or firewall software might restrict certain actions, including mutex creation. Temporarily disabling such software for testing purposes can help identify if it's causing the issue.

  5. Debugging Tools:
    Use debugging tools or error messages to get more context about why CreateMutex is returning ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED. Check the return value and use GetLastError to obtain a more specific error code.

  6. Event Viewer:
    Look for related error messages in the Windows Event Viewer. These might provide additional information about the cause of the issue.

  7. Compatibility Mode:
    If the application was originally developed for an older version of Windows (like Windows 7), running it in compatibility mode might help.

  8. Code Analysis:
    Review your code for any specific actions that might be causing the error. Ensure that you're handling mutex creation and usage properly.

  9. Check User Account:
    Make sure that the user account under which the application is running has the necessary permissions to create mutex objects.

  10. Windows Update:
    Ensure that both Windows 7 and Windows 10 systems have the latest updates installed. Sometimes, updates can fix compatibility issues.

It's worth noting that Windows 10 might have different default security settings compared to Windows 7, which could impact the behavior of certain functions like CreateMutex. Be sure to follow best practices for handling mutexes and synchronization in your code.