IDE 1.8.12 on Windows 10 doesn't start. Debug output included

Development Tools IDE 1.x
1

I am a newbie.

Just installed IDE 1.2.12 on Windows 10. As administrator. Doesn't start.

Here is the debug output.

C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino>arduino_debug.exe

Set log4j store directory C:\Users\kstoy\AppData\Local\Arduino15
You forgot your sketchbook: Arduino cannot run because it could not
create a folder to store your sketchbook.

Thanks,

Kalin

2

When it first starts, the Arduino IDE creates a special folder called the "sketchbook", that is a convenient place for you to save your Arduino programs ("sketches"). The default location is C:\Users\kstoy\Documents\Arduino.

I know there has been a recent "controlled folder access" feature added to Windows Defender that blocks the Arduino IDE from accessing the C:\Users\kstoy\Documents folder (perhaps it's a different path if you're using OneDrive?) by default:

In my experiments, I found that there was an obvious notification when the Arduino IDE is blocked, but there was a report earlier here on the forum from someone who had this problem and didn't notice any notification. So you may need to configure Windows Defender to allow the Arduino IDE access to the Documents folder.

You could test this by TEMPORARILY disabling Windows Defender just long enough to try to start the Arduino IDE. If the Arduino IDE is then able to start, you'll know that Windows Defender is the culprit. If the Arduino IDE still doesn't start, then you know there is a different problem with the Arduino IDE being able to access the Documents folder.

If you can't find the problem, you can set a custom sketchbook folder location, placing it somewhere you know the Arduino IDE has access:

  1. Open C:\Users\kstoy\AppData\Local\Arduino15 in "Windows File Explorer"
    ⓘ The AppData folder is hidden by File Explorer by default. You need to configure File Explorer to not hide system folders in order to see it.
  2. Open the file preferences.txt
    If it doesn't exist, create the file.
  3. Add or modify the line:
    sketchbook.path=<sketchbook location>
    replacing <sketchbook location> with the path of the folder you want to use as your sketchbook.
  4. Save the file.
  5. Try to start the Arduino IDE.
3

The Defender hint didn't work.

But the Preferences one worked like a charm!

Thank you!

4

You're welcome. I'm glad to hear it's working now. Enjoy!
Per