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ApacheFriends / xampp-control-windows

XAMPP control panel for Windows
Apache License 2.0
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XAMPP EAccessViolation Exception (with possible solution) #8

Closed Ab20zip closed 4 months ago

Ab20zip commented 4 months ago

Description: When running XAMPP without administrative privileges on Windows, the application throws an EAccessViolation exception due to its inability to save settings to the xampp-control.ini file. These .ini files are considered system files on Windows, and without admin access, modifications are restricted. This issue not only hinders non-admin users from using XAMPP efficiently but also highlights a broader problem with the current approach to storing user settings.

Steps to Reproduce:

  1. Install XAMPP on a Windows machine.
  2. Attempt to run XAMPP without administrative privileges.
  3. Go to 'Config' and try to change and save any settings.
  4. Observe the EAccessViolation exception being thrown.

Current Behavior: XAMPP attempts to save user settings to the xampp-control.ini file, which requires administrative privileges to modify. When the application is run without these privileges, it throws an EAccessViolation exception, preventing the user from saving their settings.

Expected Behavior: XAMPP should allow users to save their settings without requiring administrative privileges. This can be achieved by avoiding the use of .ini files for storing user configurations.

Proposed Solution: Instead of using .ini files for saving user settings, consider using a simpler and more user-friendly approach that does not require administrative privileges. Possible alternatives include:

  1. User-Specific Configuration Files: Save configuration settings in a user-specific directory, such as the user's AppData folder, which does not require elevated privileges to modify.
  2. Registry Entries: Use the Windows Registry to store user settings. This approach can be managed to ensure it does not require admin access.
  3. Local Database: Utilize a lightweight local database (e.g., SQLite) to store configuration settings.

By implementing one of these alternatives, XAMPP can be made more accessible to users without admin privileges. This change would also address several other issues related to permission restrictions and enhance compatibility with strict User Account Control (UAC) settings on Windows.

Benefits:

  1. Increased Usability: Users can run and configure XAMPP without needing admin privileges.
  2. Enhanced Compatibility: The program will be more compatible with environments that have strict UAC settings.
  3. Reduced Errors: Eliminating the need for .ini files will prevent EAccessViolation exceptions and similar issues.
  4. Improved Security: Reducing the need for elevated privileges can enhance overall system security by adhering to the principle of least privilege.

Additional Context: The current approach of using .ini files can be problematic in various scenarios, especially in environments where users do not have administrative control. This feature request aims to simplify the user experience and make XAMPP a more robust and versatile tool for all users, regardless of their system privileges.

Screenshots: Screenshot 2024-06-27 130526 Screenshot 2024-06-27 130610

Thank you for considering this feature request. I believe it will significantly improve the user experience and accessibility of XAMPP. Please let me know if you need any further information or if there are any other ways I can assist in resolving this issue.