🧠 What this error means
This error is usually caused by one of the file or folder paths being set incorrectly or to a folder that doesn't exist. It may also be due to the operator not having permission to write to the required folders for Roof Wizard to run.
This often happens when Microsoft Windows updates the operating system and the User Access Control for the computer is reset, reducing the level of access. This is a function of the Windows internet security.
✅ Step 1: Check the “Start in” path (Desktop shortcut)
Right click on the desktop shortcut icon for Roof Wizard
Select Properties
Make sure the Start in field is pointing to the path where your Roof Wizard …\User folder is located
✅ Step 2: Check the paths in AppliCad.ini
Open Windows Explorer
Navigate to your local C Drive
Go to:
C:\AppliCad\Roof Wizard\ProgramsFind a file called AppliCad.ini
Open it with Notepad (if it doesn’t open automatically)
Now check the following:
🔹 Default Directory
Check that the Default Directory is set to the same location as the Start in from the desktop shortcut — typically:
C:\AppliCad\Roof Wizard\User
🔹 Temp Directory
Also check that the Temp Directory is set to a valid folder.
In the example below it goes to a Temp folder inside where my user data is set, that is:
C:\AppliCad\Roof Wizard\User\Temp
✅ Save the file and close Notepad.
✅ Step 3: Check the path inside Values.def
Go to the location of your User folder
Find the file called Values.def
Open it with Notepad (if it doesn’t open automatically)
Check that the va directory is set to the same location as the Start in and Default Directory from the previous two steps.
⚠️ Note that this file requires double back slashes between each file path location.
🔒 If the error still happens: Check Windows permissions
If you continue to get the error message, then it would suggest that you do not have the correct permissions set on one or all of the folders that Roof Wizard requires.
🛡️ Step 4: Check folder permissions for the User folder
Checking Windows folder/file permissions:
Open Windows Explorer
Navigate to:
C:\AppliCad\Roof Wizard\UserRight click on the folder ..\User
Select the Security tab
Make sure the User has full read and write permissions — that is Full Control
If it doesn't it will look like the image below; notice that the Full Control is not checked.
Select the Edit button and change.
Select Apply and then OK
Your software should now have full access to this folder so that the Temp files may be created and edited by the Roof Wizard software.
🧱 Step 5: Check permissions for the AppliCad folder as well
Once changed open up the software again and see if you’re still getting the message.
If you are, then go to the AppliCad folder itself on the C Drive of your computer:
C:\AppliCad\Roof Wizard
…and check the same permissions as per the above.
Once changed there, the error should disappear.
🆘 Still stuck?
If it doesn’t you will need to contact AppliCad support.