"Can't Access This Folder. Path Is Too Long" Error

 Last reviewed: October 23, 1997
Article ID: Q157069
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you log on to a computer running Windows NT Workstation or Server, you get a dialog box with the following error message or you get a blank desktop: 

   Can't access this folder. The path is too long.

MORE INFORMATION

If a user logs on to a workstation (either locally or to a domain) and is not listed by group or name to have any access permissions to the root directory where the system files reside, the following problems can occur:

  • If the user logs on to the domain from the workstation or member server, he or she will get a dialog box with the following error, followed by a blank desktop: 

          Can't access this folder. The path is too long.

    However, a profile is created in the %SystemRoot%\Profiles directory for that user.

  • If the workstation or server is not a member of a domain, or if the user decides to log on locally, the error message may or may not be displayed, but a blank desktop with the profile created in the profiles directory will occur.

The scenarios described above have only been confirmed with Windows NT 4.0 clients. The domain that a user logs on to can be either a Windows NT 3.51 or a Windows NT 4.0 domain with the same results. This is one type of scenario that can occur if directory permissions are not set up properly on a client.

RESOLUTION

Log on as the local Administrator and verify that either the user or a group (of which the user is a member) has at least read access to the root of the system drive. To accomplish this if the desktop is blank, follow the procedure below:

  1. Bring up Task Manager by pressing CTRL-ALT-DEL.
2. Select File, New Task 3. In the run dialog box launch Explorer or Winfile. 4. View the security permissions of the system drive.

If the user or group does not have this access, add it to the directory permissions for the user or group. Do not select the Apply To Subdirectories check box.

For additional information, please see the following article(s) in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q148437
   TITLE     : Default NTFS Permissions in Windows NT

Additional query words: path profiles
Keywords : ntdomain NTSrvWkst
Version : 4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbprb

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: October 23, 1997
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.