Ok so first I think its probably a permissions problem.
Is the text file with the clock info a file you create your self? If so do not store it in C:\Windows\System32 instead store it in your users application data directory. The path to that directory can be found using the following:
Dim path As String =
Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.LocalApplicationData)
Dim path As String =
Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.CommonApplicationData)
That way you can be sure there will be no permission problems.
Also I would change this code
Dim value As Object = Chr(34) & Environment.CurrentDirectory &"\DateCountdown.exe" & Chr(34)
to this
Dim value As String = Application.ExecutablePath
Just to make it cleaner.