Error 1606: Could not access network location %APPDATA%\

[Blazej]

I have a desktop computer with Windows Vista Home Premium installed. My problem is that I am unable to install and/or uninstall software or programs. My computer is not too old (just passed 6 months). Each time I install/uninstall any programs, I get error message

Error 1606: Could not access network location %APPDATA%\

Any ideas what is this and/or experienced such things and know how do solve this. I am not sure when the problem truly began. I have tried System Restore but still the same issue.

[mv]

%appdata% is not a network location. It is a systemwide variable

%appdata% it is a directory on your computer

For Vista it is C:\Users\yourusername\AppData\Roaming\
for XP it is C:\Documents and Settings\yourusername\Application Data\

I think the application is having problems locating it.

[5parts]

I see the problem. You are trying to install software that doesn't install on Vista.

I applaud your efforts to make it work by any means possible but if you truly must make it work, install the free Microsoft Virtual PC, then XP in that and you'll get there.

how do i change it? to "REG_EXPAND_SZ"...can i just delet it?

I get this message every now and again, mostly for patches, i checked and everythings fine. and it is for xp but it says its vista compatible.

Is there any patch which is specially made for Vista? You should try and download that as it may be working, XP patches work with vista but they are not 100% compatible...

If everything else fails....try this....the program might be looking for the Environment variable called "Appdata" . Create it. It worked for me.

Make sure you are creating it for the user under which the program is running. Hope this helps.

And how and where did you create that file Bhowmisu?

[Nihir]

The response to "Echo %appadata%" should be

C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming

A space in the user name shouldn't be a problem, but creating a new user may fix the problem because it will create the account with default registry settings which will hopefully have the missing %appdata% information.

If you want to check on this before creating the new user, just for curiosity's sake, check the following Registry key:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Exp lorer\Shell Folders and check the value for AppData in the right hand pane. If it's missing, then that would explain the problem. It should be as listed above, substituting the UserName with the folder name for the user under Users.

Also check the key
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Exp lorer\User Shell Folders

The value of this key should be
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming

More keys to check:
HKCU\Volatile Environement (1)
HKU\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer sion\Explorer\User Shell Folders (2)
HKU\Sxxxxx\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersi on\Explorer\User Shell Folders (2)
HKU\Sxxxxx\Volatile Environement (1)

The values in (1) should have the full path spelled out, the values in (2) should use the %USERPROFILE% variable in the path. If the value under HKU\.DEFAULT is missing or bad, then creating a new user probably won't work either. If that value is missing, then I would recommend a clean reinstall of Windows because there is no telling what else is messed up also.

[Steve123]

Error 1606: Could Not Access Network Location

This issue may occur if there is an incorrect setting in one of the following registry subkeys:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

To resolve this issue, follow the steps provided in Microsoft article:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/886549

[Snowy77]

I found the same problem when a Vista laptop was trying to intall iTunes.

I found the solution to fix it was to install the KB936824 update from Microsoft aswell as the KB article in Steve123 note.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...f-b6aa22525dec

Snowy.

[Rafiq]

I got the same error & on some investigation on many forums I found the solution.
It worked for me.
The culprit is the "Type" of "Common Programs" and "Common Startup" at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders.
They were supposed to be "REG_EXPAND_SZ" and not REG_SZ
I hope this helps you too.

[Steve123]

1. If any Name, Type, or Value does not match the table, right-click the Value name, and then click Delete.
2. In the left pane, right-click User Shell Folders, point to New, click Expandable String Value, type the Name value that you want from the table, and then press ENTER.
3. Right-click on the new value that you created above, click Modify, type the value in the Value data box for the Value name, and then click OK.

[Darsheet]

Yes if you want you can delete this file but before doing this make sure you have backup of the same because it might happen deleting that file might face some issue when you have deleted it and you need to reinstall your Operating system if your have backup of your registry key then you can restore it back again.

[tony_stev]

Hi Nihir, You are a star, you have fixed a problem I have been trying to solve for a week now. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Nihir

The response to "Echo %appadata%" should be

C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming

A space in the user name shouldn't be a problem, but creating a new user may fix the problem because it will create the account with default registry settings which will hopefully have the missing %appdata% information.

If you want to check on this before creating the new user, just for curiosity's sake, check the following Registry key:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Exp lorer\Shell Folders and check the value for AppData in the right hand pane. If it's missing, then that would explain the problem. It should be as listed above, substituting the UserName with the folder name for the user under Users.

Also check the key
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Exp lorer\User Shell Folders

The value of this key should be
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming

More keys to check:
HKCU\Volatile Environement (1)
HKU\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer sion\Explorer\User Shell Folders (2)
HKU\Sxxxxx\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersi on\Explorer\User Shell Folders (2)
HKU\Sxxxxx\Volatile Environement (1)

The values in (1) should have the full path spelled out, the values in (2) should use the %USERPROFILE% variable in the path. If the value under HKU\.DEFAULT is missing or bad, then creating a new user probably won't work either. If that value is missing, then I would recommend a clean reinstall of Windows because there is no telling what else is messed up also.

[qvultaggio]

Alright for some a simple copy and pasting of the correct registry values may work but for others (myself included) this was of absolutely NO HELP. I was trying to install windows office and an autocad program and kept getting this stupid ERROR so heres what i did, OBVIOUSLY this is a registry issue so we need something that can fix the registry. Now just because this worked for me and i dont know what your situation is but this might help you too. So first i googled what was the absolute BEST registry optimizer for windows. then i was carried to a website where there were ranked by most favorite. at the top of the list was "Advanced System Optimizer" now how you go about getting it is up to you but i just used bit torrent and got the torrent location by once again using Google magic baby. just google "Advanced System Optimizer torrent" i always use either torrent reactor or Pirate bay So anyways i installed it (i just installed the trial version btw) and it worked miracles. I shit you not this thing found not one or two but 137 problems. THATS RIDICULOUS! anyways just try it hell you dont have to keep the program just install it fix your probs then uninstall. Good luck

[patricia42256]

Originally Posted by qvultaggio

Alright for some a simple copy and pasting of the correct registry values may work but for others (myself included) this was of absolutely NO HELP. I was trying to install windows office and an autocad program and kept getting this stupid ERROR so heres what i did, OBVIOUSLY this is a registry issue so we need something that can fix the registry. Now just because this worked for me and i dont know what your situation is but this might help you too. So first i googled what was the absolute BEST registry optimizer for windows. then i was carried to a website where there were ranked by most favorite. at the top of the list was "Advanced System Optimizer" now how you go about getting it is up to you but i just used bit torrent and got the torrent location by once again using Google magic baby. just google "Advanced System Optimizer torrent" i always use either torrent reactor or Pirate bay So anyways i installed it (i just installed the trial version btw) and it worked miracles. I shit you not this thing found not one or two but 137 problems. THATS RIDICULOUS! anyways just try it hell you dont have to keep the program just install it fix your probs then uninstall. Good luck

I cannot install anything.I used to then all of a sudden I can't, I get this error 1606 could not access network location %APPDATA% I bought a new printer scanner and now I cannot install the software becasue I get this messege.I turned off my anti virus that didn't work.I turned off my firewall that didn't work.Ican't even install vista sp 2 it won't let me! How do i fix this ?It is driving me nuts ?Why all of a sudden did this start happeneing. I can't use the optimizing program ,how can i ?I can't install anything. Please help .I don't even remember how to get to the registry.If someone can give me step by step details how to fix this I will be forever grateful.Right now I have a brand ne w printer scanner and can't do anything with it! Thanks

[bluemayo]

Originally Posted by patricia42256

I cannot install anything.I used to then all of a sudden I can't, I get this error 1606 could not access network location %APPDATA% I bought a new printer scanner and now I cannot install the software becasue I get this messege.I turned off my anti virus that didn't work.I turned off my firewall that didn't work.Ican't even install vista sp 2 it won't let me! How do i fix this ?It is driving me nuts ?Why all of a sudden did this start happeneing. I can't use the optimizing program ,how can i ?I can't install anything. Please help .I don't even remember how to get to the registry.If someone can give me step by step details how to fix this I will be forever grateful.Right now I have a brand ne w printer scanner and can't do anything with it! Thanks

try following these sir:

click on the link below then if your running vista click the start button, type regedit.exe

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/886549

check if the following things below are completely the same, if not, right click the line that is different from the other then click modify, copy paste the value at the website, usually the error is at the appdata.. it should be easy, all we need is just a bit of patience and more of reading

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/886549


================================================== =====
read read and read,, dont be lazy, just read follow and there goes your solution

[patricia42256]

Thank you but I have already followed this solution and it worked perfect.Problem solved .I have had this problem for a while now am glad I found the fix here.Hope everyone else can too. I wouldlike to know the why of it. What cauised this problem does anyone know if it was a trojan or something? Thanks

[betht]

You will need to set appdata as a system variable.

In the environment variable section, set the following system variable:

Name: appdata
Variable: c:\users\username\appdata

Where username is replaced with your name.