1 katalon studio enterprise or free for several users

Web Testing
1

Hi! everybody,

I´m going to tell you my problem with katalon studio enterprise or free because is the same for both

MOTIVATION:

We are having some problems with Katalon Studio web testing due to the browser version and specially with the screen size of the computer because we are testing a responsive application

In order to solve that problem we have decided to install Katalon Studio in centralized Virtual Machine where the screen size and navigator version always is the same version that the company are currently using, and the screen size are always the same and it doesn´t depends on the tester computer.

In the virtual machine we have 3 developers using the same installation of katalon studio in order to develop web testing.

THE PROBLEM:

Everything went well until we need to update the web drivers:

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When one of the users update the web drivers the rest of the users can´t access to the Webdrivers. The other users, are given back this error when try to update the web drivers

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[ERROR] There was an error managing msedgedriver 144.0.3719.104 (java.nio.file.AccessDeniedException: C:\Katalon\packages.katalon\packages\KS-10.1.0\configuration\resources\drivers\edgechromium_win64\msedgedriver.exe)[ERROR] There was an error managing msedgedriver 144.0.3719.104 (java.nio.file.AccessDeniedException: C:\Katalon\packages.katalon\packages\KS-10.1.0\configuration\resources\drivers\edgechromium_win64\msedgedriver.exe)

The problem happens because the user that update the web driver, the katalon studio set some permissions in the drivers\edgechromium_win64\msedgedriver.exe file or in the drivers\edgechromium_win64\ folders that the only user that can access to webdriver is the the user that update that.

It makes that other users can´t install the webdrivers and can´t send analysis because the msedgedriver.exe is not accesible.

TRYING TO SOLVE:

We tryed to give administrative permission to all users to these paths but always the same errors are given, that can´t acces to msedgedriver.exe

WORKARROUND

The only way that I found to solve the problem y access via file explorer to C:\Katalon\packages.katalon\packages\KS-10.1.0\configuration\resources\ and delete the “drivers” folder and execute the Update Webdrivers again.

Now with this workarround only one person can work, and it is not a right solution because it can not be scaled to work with several uses.

HELP:

Any idea or workarround to solve it.

Thanks in avance

2 Likes
2

Root Cause: When Katalon Studio updates drivers (e.g., msedgedriver.exe), it sets file permissions that restrict access to only the user who performed the update, causing java.nio.file.AccessDeniedException errors for other users trying to access or update the same drivers.

Recommended Solutions

Solution 1: Use Project-Level Drivers (BEST for Multi-User Shared Installations)

This is the most scalable and recommended approach for your scenario. Instead of relying on application-level drivers (which are shared and cause permission conflicts), configure drivers at the project level:

Steps:

  1. Create the project-level driver structure in each project:

    • Navigate to your project folder: <Project Folder>\Include\drivers\

    • Create subdirectories for each browser:

      Include\drivers\edgechromiumdriver_win64\
Include\drivers\chromedriver_win64\
Include\drivers\geckodriver_win64\

  2. Download and place drivers in the appropriate folders:

  3. Place the executable in the correct location:

    Include\drivers\edgechromiumdriver_win64\msedgedriver.exe
Include\drivers\chromedriver_win64\chromedriver.exe
Include\drivers\geckodriver_win64\geckodriver.exe

  4. Restart Katalon Studio - it will automatically use project-level drivers instead of application-level ones.

Advantages:

  • Each project has its own drivers, eliminating permission conflicts
  • Drivers are version-controlled with the project
  • Each user can work independently without affecting others
  • Scales easily to multiple users and projects

Reference: Katalon Documentation - Replace a WebDriver

Solution 2: Fix File Permissions on Application-Level Drivers (Temporary Fix)

If you must use application-level drivers, fix the permissions issue:

Steps:

  1. Navigate to the driver folder:

    C:\Katalon\packages.katalon\packages\KS-10.1.0\configuration\resources\drivers\edgechromium_win64\

  2. Fix permissions for all users:

    • Right-click the edgechromium_win64 folder → Properties → Security tab
    • Click Edit → Select Users group
    • Check the following permissions:
      • :white_check_mark: Modify
      • :white_check_mark: Read & Execute
      • :white_check_mark: List Folder Contents
      • :white_check_mark: Read
      • :white_check_mark: Write
    • Click Apply → OK

  3. Apply to all subfolders and files:

    • Right-click the folder → Properties → Security → Advanced
    • Click Change Permissions
    • Select the Users entry and check Replace all child object permissions
    • Click Apply → OK

  4. Restart Katalon Studio for all users

Important: This is a temporary workaround and may need to be repeated after each driver update.

Solution 3: Run Katalon as Administrator (Quick Fix)

According to the Katalon Community Forum, running Katalon as Administrator can resolve permission issues:

  1. Right-click Katalon Studio → Run as Administrator
  2. Update WebDrivers via Tools > Update WebDrivers
  3. Other users should then be able to access the updated drivers

Limitation: This only works if the user running the update has admin privileges, and may not fully resolve multi-user access issues.

Solution 4: Disable Antivirus/Windows Defender Temporarily

According to the Katalon Community, antivirus software can sometimes interfere with driver updates:

  1. Temporarily disable Windows Defender or your antivirus
  2. Update WebDrivers
  3. Re-enable antivirus protection

Key Considerations

Aspect Application-Level Drivers Project-Level Drivers
Shared Installation :cross_mark: Causes permission conflicts :white_check_mark: No conflicts
Multi-User Support :cross_mark: Problematic :white_check_mark: Recommended
Scalability :cross_mark: Difficult to scale :white_check_mark: Scales easily
Version Control :cross_mark: Not tracked :white_check_mark: Tracked with project
Maintenance :cross_mark: Requires manual fixes :white_check_mark: Self-contained

Implementation Recommendation

For your 3-developer shared VM setup, I strongly recommend Solution 1 (Project-Level Drivers):

  1. Immediate action: Delete the application-level drivers folder as you’ve been doing
  2. Long-term solution: Configure each project to use project-level drivers
  3. Benefit: Each developer can work independently without permission conflicts, and drivers are versioned with the project

This approach eliminates the need for manual permission fixes and scales seamlessly as your team grows.

References

1 Like
3

manually download the drivers and override driver the path via accordingly

4

seems it’s not Free vs Enterprise account issue

the problem is sharing one Katalon install across users, driver updates change folder permissions

maybe you can try this: install KS per user or keep WebDrivers in the project (Include/drivers)
Admin mode is just a workaround

5

Thanks Monty_Bagati the solution 1 seems that its going to work. Now I going to share the information with the team and make some tests working some people at the same time.

I will keep you informed.

Thanks for the quick response.

3 Likes