Roon app won't open on Windows 11 without admin rights (ref#IRPY25)

[Christian_Velten]

What’s happening?

· My Roon software won't start up

How can we help?

· None of the above

Other options

· Other

Describe the issue

I cannot open Roon app on Windows 11 anymore ...but with admin rights

Describe your network setup

LAN (wired), local Roon server on Ubuntu 22.04 machine

[benjamin]

Hey @Christian_Velten,

Thanks for writing in and sharing your report! This is a known behavior with some Windows 11 setups, particularly when Roon is installed per user instead of per machine, or if certain permissions are restricted.

Can you confirm Roon’s default installation points to your user profile folder (C:\Users[YourName]\AppData\Local\Roon). This usually doesn’t require admin rights unless permissions are misconfigured.

There’s also a chance Windows Defender could have Controlled Folder Access or similar security features turned on, Roon may be blocked from reading or writing to required locations unless run as an administrator.

Make sure your user has full control over:

• C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\Roon
• C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\RoonBridge
• C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\RAATServer

Right-click > Properties > Security tab > ensure your username has Full control.

If you’re still having issues - Go to Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Ransomware protection

• If Controlled folder access is on, temporarily disable it or add Roon as an allowed app

We’ll be on standby for your reply and results!

[Christian_Velten]

Hi Benjamin,

Thank you for the very precise, easy to follow and helpful guidance. Not what I am necessarily used to by other support services , so worth to be mentioned.

Can you confirm Roon’s default installation points to your user profile folder
(C:\Users[YourName]\AppData\Local\Roon)

Yes it does.

Make sure your user has full control over:

• `C:\Users[YourName]\AppData\Local\Roon
  Yes, it does (except “special rights”)
• C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\RoonBridge
  I have <…\RoonGoer> instead, my user has full control (except “special rights”)
• C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\RAATServer
  I have <…\RoonServer> instead, my user has full control (except “special rights”)

If you’re still having issues - Go to Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Ransomware protection

• If Controlled folder access is on, temporarily disable it or add Roon as an allowed app

I am not using Windows Defender but Avast.
Controlled folder access of Windows Defender Ransomeware protection is switched off.
Will add Roon to Avast as trusted app.

Interestingly … Roon client opens today without any troubles (so far).
The only thing I had done yesterday evening was following this guidance in the forum.

Eventually it might have solved it.

BTW do I need to have RoonServer/RAATServer on my PC? As I have my Roon server on a linux machine in the network (and working fine).

Kind regards
Christian

[vadim]

Hello @Christian_Velten,

Thank you for the update — we’re glad to hear that the issue with admin rights has been resolved.

Since Roon is delivered as a single package, the presence of the RoonServer folder is necessary.

RAATServer is responsible for playback on the current device. Both components are essential for Roon to operate properly.