Windows Vista and Windows 7

Vista/7 UAC Problems

Please note that Microsoft's new operating systems (Vista/7), make some security related changes that affect the use of the TES Construction Set. Specifically, any file that is located under the "C:\Program Files" or "C:\Program Files(x86)" directory is protected from being changed. If you have installed your Elder Scrolls game into the default directory, it will be affected by these security changes. The following is a list of how this affects the construction set and .ESP files:

• While copying .ESP files into the default game directory, you will be prompted to allow the operation. To compound this, editing files in that directory directly is strictly prohibited by the operating system security. Thus, editing of any .INI files and the .ESP files are not permitted at this location (the file may be moved to the desktop for editing and then moved back afterward).

• If you create a new .ESP file using the construction set, the file will NOT be located where you would expect it to be. Instead, Windows Vista places the new file into a special directory located at "C:\Users\ \AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Oblivion". Inside of this folder are any screen shots taken during the game while operating under "Vista". There is a sub-folder here named "Data" where the .ESP files created in the construction set are placed. The "<login id>" indicates the name of the user that is logged into the Vista/7 operating system (e.g. "Rob", "Fred", "Sally", etc.).

• Editing an existing .ESP file that is located in the normal "Data" directory of a default installed game will prevent you from saving the file if it is checked as "Active". Again, this relates to the Vista/7 file security system. Newly created files (files without the "active" check-box) are not affected by this but are placed in the "C:\Users" location and NOT the standard "Data" location. The game doesn't seem to mind this though and CAN use files in either location for game play.

• Because the construction set is NOT expecting files in other locations, it cannot go back and edit files that do not reside in the standard "Data" folder. This presents a major problem for editing files repeatedly as is typically the case when play-testing your mod.

Solutions to the Vista/7 Problems

Alternate Install Directory

If you install your Elder Scrolls game into any directory OTHER than the default, none of these problems occur. Thus, you can bypass the Vista/7 security issues by installing the game onto another hard drive or into a new directory that is not located within the "Program Files" root directory (such as "C:\Games").

Run as Admin

Another way to fix it is to right-click the ".exe" file and click properties, then check "Run as administrator". Then click OK. Do this for both the "oblivion.exe" and "TESConstructionSet.exe", and any programs you are using that copies files to protected directories (such as WinRAR, 7z, or WinZip).

Disable UAC

Windows Vista users who are fairly confident in the security of their computers might also consider disabling UAC altogether. This will allow all programs writing privileges to the Program Files directory. Although this obviously creates a state of decreased security for your PC, it is a very helpful one-size-fits-all solution to a number of compatibility issues with the Vista OS.

Of these, solution #1 is STRONGLY PREFERRED. Solutions 2 and 3 (running as admin and disabling UAC) remove important safety features of the OS. In constrast, installing Oblivion elsewhere resolves the problems with Oblivion without reducing your overall security.