c++ my program cannot initialize a handle on a process - c++

Question

I'm trying to edit memory in a program. For the most part the code works, but when I try to initiate a handle on the process, it returns NULL.
#include <iostream>
#include <windows.h>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int playerTotalRam = 761;
HWND hwnd = FindWindowA(NULL, "generic game"); // specifies the window to act
upon
// error message if the window isn't found
if (hwnd == NULL) {
cout << "window not found!\n";
system("PAUSE");
} else {
DWORD processID;
// stores the process id of the window
GetWindowThreadProcessId(hwnd, &processID);
// gets the process id of the window
HANDLE handle = OpenProcess(PROCESS_ALL_ACCESS, FALSE, processID);
// opens the process with full access
if (!handle) {
cout << "couldnt initiate a handle on the process!\n";
system("PAUSE");
}
// error message if the process ID isn't found
if (processID == NULL) {
cout << "cannot find process!\n";
system("PAUSE");
} else {
WriteProcessMemory(handle, (LPVOID)0x044A52C8, &playerTotalRam,
4, 0); // this writes the new value to the listed address
}
}
return 0;
}
The program outputs "couldnt initiate a handle on the process!"
I have this same error with other programs.
What i want to know is what am I doing wrong, and how can I fix this.
My system is windows 10 home.

Answer 1

Either FindWindowA is failing, resulting in an incorrect process id because you have the wrong window title text or you're not running your program as administrator. You need to run as administrator to get PROCESS_ALL_ACCESS permissions and make sure your title text is correct. This will solve your problem.