msmdsrv.ini – ‘Access is denied’ error

I came across a strange permissions issue while attempting to edit the SQL Server Analysis Services file msmdsrv.ini  locally on a SQL Server (Ref: Recommended settings from Optimal configuration settings for high concurrency in SSAS)

 

My account had local administrator access on the SQL Server but I received ‘Access is denied’ when attempting to edit the file with notepad.

 

 

I could get around this issue by either:

 

  • Opening notepad with ‘Run as administrator’ from the start menu and then locating and opening msmdsrv.ini

 

 

  • Editing msmdsrv.ini remotely from another computer e.g. \\sqlservname\drive$\…\msmdsrv.ini

 

Hopefully this info will save you some time if you come across this scenario.

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