Network Management

NCM Configuration Wizard config-archive permission warning and service validation

During the SolarWinds Platform Configuration Wizard, the wizard completes successfully but reports a warning that Network Configuration Manager could not create or access the Config Archive directory.

First published date

8/31/2026 4:39 PM

Last published date

8/31/2026 4:39 PM

Overview

The affected path is:

C:\ProgramData\SolarWinds\NCM\Config-Archive

The issue is related to Windows folder permissions. The NETWORK SERVICE account may have a Deny permission on the Config Archive folder, which prevents NCM from accessing the directory correctly.

Product section

Network Configuration Manager

Cause

Resolution

1. Confirm the Config Archive path

  • Log in to the SolarWinds Platform Web Console as an administrator.
  • Go to Settings > All Settings > NCM Settings > Config Settings.
  • Confirm the Config Archive path.
  • Verify that the configured folder exists on the main poller and any affected APE.

2. Review the folder permissions

  • Browse to:

C:\ProgramData\SolarWinds\NCM\Config-Archive

  • Right-click the folder and select Properties.
  • Open Security > Advanced.
  • Review the permission entries for NETWORK SERVICE.
  • The folder may contain a NETWORK SERVICE Deny entry. This permission prevents the account from using the allowed access assigned elsewhere.

3. Disable inheritance and correct the explicit permission

The Deny entry is initially inherited and cannot be edited from the Config Archive folder.

  • Select Disable inheritance.
  • Choose Convert inherited permissions into explicit permissions.
  • Select the explicit NETWORK SERVICE Deny entry and click Remove.
  • Edit the NETWORK SERVICE Allow entry and grant Full control.
  • Confirm that the permission applies to This folder, subfolders and files.
  • Do not remove the SYSTEM or Administrators entries.
  • Click Apply and then OK.

If the Deny permission returns, check whether a domain Group Policy is reapplying it and involve the Windows/domain administrator.

4. Restart and verify SolarWinds services

  • Restart the SolarWinds Platform services after applying the permission changes.
  • Confirm that the services remain in the Running state.
  • The final Service Manager status shows all listed SolarWinds Platform services running, including the SolarWinds Administration Service dependency.

5. Rerun the Configuration Wizard

  • Run the SolarWinds Platform Configuration Wizard on the affected server or APE.
  • Allow the wizard to complete.
  • Confirm that the Config Archive warning no longer appears.
  • Confirm that the wizard completes successfully without errors.

6. Validate NCM archive access

  • Return to Settings > All Settings > NCM Settings > Config Settings.
  • Validate or submit the Config Archive settings.
  • Run a manual NCM Download Config test.
  • Confirm that NCM can write the configuration file to the configured archive location.