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You Cannot Access Messaging Files Stored Locally on Disk

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

Describes a specific problem with Message Queuing. Includes step-by-step instructions for fixing the problem.

This problem typically occurs when attempting to manually access locally stored message files, log files, and local queue storage (LQS) files. By default only members of the Administrators group for the local computer (and the Network Service account on Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008) have access to these files.

Diagnosis

When you attempt to manually inspect the files in the %windir%\system32\msmq\storage and %windir%\system32\msmq\storage\lqs\ directory you are unable to do so and an "access denied" error occurs.

Note

Manual inspection of these files may be useful, for example, if you want to manually inspect the properties of a private queue or determine the disk space being used for the storage of messages.

Resolution

Add your user account to the local Administrators group (or to the Domain Admins group on a domain controller) if you need access to the locally stored Message Queuing files. Alternatively, log on as an account that is already a member of the local Administrators group or the Domain Admins group.

To add your user account to the local Administrators group using Computer Management

  1. Click Start, point to Run, type compmgmt.msc, and press ENTER to display the Computer Management MMC console.

  2. In the console tree, click Groups.

    Where?

    • Computer Management/System Tools/Local Users and Groups/Groups
  3. Double-click the Administrators group in the detail pane to display the Administrators Properties dialog box.

  4. Click Add to display the Select Users, Computers, or Groups dialog box.

  5. Enter your user account and click OK.

To add your user account to the Domain Admins group using Active Directory Users and Computers

  1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Active Directory Users and Computers.

  2. On the View menu, click Users, Groups, and Computers as containers, and then click Advanced Features.

  3. In the console tree, right-click the Domain Admins group.

    Where?

    • Active Directory Users and Computers/YourDomain/Users/Domain Admins
  4. Click Properties.

  5. Click the Members tab of the Domain Admins Properties dialog box.

  6. Double-click the Administrators group in the details pane to display the Administrators Properties dialog box.

  7. Click Add to display the Select Users, Computers, or Groups dialog box.

  8. Enter your user account and click OK.

Verification

After following the steps listed above, verify that you can manually access locally stored message files, log files, and local queue storage (LQS) files.

See Also

Concepts

Access Control for Message Queuing