Unable to Delete Mapped Drive to User's Home Directory

• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When users try to disconnect a drive that is mapped to their home directory by typing "net use /d" at a command prompt, they may receive the following error message:

   The device is being accessed by an active process.
   More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2404.

CAUSE

The above error message will occur if the drive that is mapped to the user's home directory is set through the "Home Directory, Connect To" option within User Manager.

MORE INFORMATION

When the "Connect To" option for Home Directory within User Manager is defined to connect a drive letter to a specified UNC path, you create this connection using NDDEAGNT (NetDDE Agent), which is part of NetDDE. Because NetDDE is involved, there is an active connection to the server and that connection cannot be readily broken.

RESOLUTION

Use Windows NT Explorer or Windows NT File Manager (Winfile.exe) to override the lock on the drive mapping so it can be disconnected.

If the connection between the workstation and associated server is broken, the connection will timeout after a short period and the drive mapping can be disconnected by typing the "net use /d" at a command prompt.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post additional information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.