VS2015 Error while trying to run application: Invalid Pointer

Question

When you debug a Visual Studio 2015 solution you see this error message:

Error while trying to run application: Invalid pointer

Obviously something isn't configured properly, or is permissions related, just wondering if anyone has identified the cause?

Answer 1

Using Jeremy's advice I reviewed the Activity Log (See here for info about the Activity Log) https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb166359.aspx

and found this error in the stack trace

....Access to the path 'C:\ProgramData\Microsoft Visual Studio\14.0\TraceDebugging\' is denied.]:...

The directory did not exist so I created it and was thereafter able to debug the project without the error.

Answer 2

A workaround is to start Visual Studio 2015 as Administrator

Right click the Visual Studio 2015 shortcut file or start menu item > Run As Administrator