Bitmap.Save - how do I overcome an InteropServices.ExternalException error?

Following is a very simple program, extracted from my 'real' program. that demonstrates the problem. (For those interested, the jpg file is of dimension 200x200 - any jpg will work.) When I run the program within Visual Studio it works just fine. However, when I run the program stand-alone, I get an InteropServices.ExternalException error. I have searched on this and have tried a variety of things, but I keep getting the error.

Here is the 'entire' program:

Code:

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Imports System.Drawing.Imaging

Public Class Form1
    Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
        Dim imgLI As Image
        imgLI = New Bitmap(Image.FromFile("C:\Users\Gerry\Desktop\SmileFace.jpg"), 150, 150)

        Dim bmp As New Bitmap(250, 250)
        Using bmp
            Dim gr As Graphics = Graphics.FromImage(bmp)
            gr.Clear(Color.WhiteSmoke)
            gr.DrawImage(imgLI, 25, 25)

            bmp.Save("C:\Users\Gerry\Desktop\foobar.jpg", ImageFormat.Jpeg)
            gr.Dispose() ' this line before or after the above does not matter
        End Using
        Application.Exit()
        End
    End Sub
End Class

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Please modify this program such that it works as stand-alone. Many thanks.

Is this something as simple as you aren't running your .exe file with elevated privileges and therefore the attempt to store the file on your desktop is failing because of that?

Right-click the .exe file and choose "Run as Administrator" (or words to that effect) and see if that makes a difference.

OptionBase1 - Good idea, but I did as you suggested and got the same error...