Error renaming files in shared folder - invalid filename error, but no invalid characters
I am running into an issue with users renaming files on a shared drive. When the users try to rename, they get the error "A file name can't contain any of the following characters: \ / : * ? < > |". However, neither the new or old filename contains any of these characters, or any other invalid characters as far as I can determine, just alphanumeric characters and spaces.When they try to rename it again, it works without an issue. I have found reports of this error being generated if the file path is too long, but all users are accessing this from a shared drive, and even if the share name is taken into account the file path and name are easily under 100 characters. I have 3 users on 3 different systems reporting this issue, so I don't think it is user error. The workstations are running Windows 7 Pro, SP1. The server is Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise, Service Pack 2. The users are located at a remote site, and accessing the share over a site to site VPN. There are XP workstations at the site as well, that do not appear to be having the issue. Any help, suggestions, or guidance is greatly appreciated!
November 11th, 2011 10:02am

Hi, This error should occurs when the name contain invalid characters. Please simply rename the folder just contain normal letter like “aaa” to see if the same issue occurs. Furthermore, please create another share folder to these users and let them try renaming for test. Regards, Leo Huang TechNet Subscriber Support in forum. If you have any feedback on our support, please contact tngfb@microsoft.comPlease remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.
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November 13th, 2011 10:27pm

Neither the new or the old files or folder name contain invalid characters. If the user tries again with the same filename, they are able to rename the file without an issue, so the error does not actually seem to be being triggered by invalid characters in the filename.
November 14th, 2011 9:15am

I was just able to replicate the issue on another PC running Windows 7 connected to the same share; tried to rename File Z:\Scan Docs\Scan Nov 14, 2011 (1).pdf to Z:\Scan Docs\Scan Nov 14, 2011.pdf and got the error. Tried again to rename to the same filename and it worked without an issue.
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November 14th, 2011 1:46pm

I have also created an additional share on the same server, and the issue also occurs on that share as well.
November 14th, 2011 6:00pm

I am able to rename the files without an issue on the local server. I also tried from a Windows Server 2008 Enterprise x64 (Sp2) server and was able to rename without an issue. Appears to be an issue with Win 7 Pro accessing the Win 2003 Server.
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November 15th, 2011 5:59pm

One interesting thing is that the error is a pop-up message box, rather than a alert balloon like it would be if you actually tried to rename a file with invalid characters. I have attached a screenshot (sanitized to remove identifying information).
November 17th, 2011 9:59am

Hi, I am trying to involve someone familiar with this topic to further look at this issue. Regards, Leo Huang TechNet Subscriber Support in forum. If you have any feedback on our support, please contact tngfb@microsoft.comPlease remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.
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November 17th, 2011 7:51pm

Thanks for your help, I would really like to try to get this resolved as soon as possible.
November 18th, 2011 9:21am

Just had 2 users at a different site running Windows XP writing to a different share on the same server replicate the error (name too long or invalid characters popup). In their case, the issue went away a few minutes later on its own.
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November 18th, 2011 1:26pm

As an update, it is looking like the issue may potentially be due to the realtime scanning portion of the ESET antivirus. I am still in the process of try to confirm this, as users are still reporting getting it, but I have not gotten the error with realtime scanning disabled (of course, I also have had issues replicating it in the first place). I will give another update if I determine this has resolved the issue, or if I have further troubleshooting.
November 23rd, 2011 9:09am

Issue is now occurring on some Windows XP clients as well (connected to the same server). I was not able to replicate the issue in safe mode with networking, however I think that is due to the intermittent nature of the issue (can sometimes go for days without occurring for any users). I was able to replicate the issue doing a clean boot. I also completely removed the antivirus from one of the systems, and the issue still occurs.
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November 29th, 2011 11:28am

On the XP machine that was having the issue, it was actually reproducible until I logged out and logged back in. If the name is less than 8 characters, I did not have an issue, but going over 8 characters caused it to occur. The symptoms were slightly different on this system, but the root issue seems quite similar.
November 29th, 2011 11:56am

Download process explorer from technet. When the error window pops up again, run process explorer as Administrator and then drag the 'find windows process'(sniper marker) icon on to this popup. If its a user mode process, it should point you to the process throwing the error. Sumesh P - Microsoft Online Community Support
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November 29th, 2011 10:24pm

So did the issue resolve on the XP machine after you uninstalled AV and then logged off/on ? Sumesh P - Microsoft Online Community Support
November 29th, 2011 10:26pm

The issue on the XP machine was resolved with just a log off/on, I didn't make adjustments with the antivirus. I will try the process explorer steps next time I am able to replicate the issue.
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December 1st, 2011 10:03am

Ran process Explorer, explorer.exe is the process throwing the error.
December 1st, 2011 10:30am

check the DLLs loaded in explorer. Use shellexview.exe to disable the 3rd party shell extensions. Sumesh P - Microsoft Online Community Support
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December 1st, 2011 10:42am

I disabled all non Microsoft shell extensions (there were a few adobe addons). The issue is still occurring.
December 5th, 2011 12:10pm

Start Process Monitor -> rename the file using invalid character -> let the error come up -> dont press OK -> Save the procmon log as PML file and share. Sumesh P - Microsoft Online Community Support
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December 8th, 2011 12:54am

I have captured the log file as the issue happened. There are a couple of attempts here, the one where the issue happened is near the end of the file; I was trying to rename "2 3 45" to "4 5 6 2". No file extension on either of them, makes it easier to do multiple renames quickly that way. I was doing a clean boot to minimize the noise from other applications, the only allowed items are the antivirus and the software I use to access this system remotely. I have attached the same file as both a ZIP and the PML, just in case one or the other is blocked. Download zipped file from Skydrive (3.5 MB) Download PML file from Skydrive (26.1 MB) Thanks for your continued help on this issue!
December 8th, 2011 10:20am

Hi, Can you try installing the 3rd party softwares on a test system that has the issue? I still believe it is caused by one of the 3rd party software installed on these systems. I was able to test most of these softwares inside my test system to try and reproduce the issue. However I could not manage to test the Dell(wave) encryption/drive protection software as it seems like hardware dependent. So i'd suggest choosing a test system, then start uninstalling the 3rd party softwares one by one starting with the Dell drive protection. Or you can go the other way around and take a vanilla system and install the standard softwares in your environment till the error occurs. Based on my test i'd put my money on the drive protection s/w, however that is just an educated guess. Outside of this approach it would take a lot of debugging to figure out who is throwing the error and requires direct access to these machines as well which requires to be worked through a paid support incident. Sumesh P - Microsoft Online Community Support
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December 9th, 2011 2:28am

Hello, Sorry to intrude but i have precisely the same problem with the same setup. Did you find a solution to the problem? Thanks!
January 25th, 2012 3:48pm

I am getting this error frequently as well. The system here is running MSE and have very little third party software on it. It has been doing it since it was first installed. I think is is an x64 version issue as I have not experienced it on an x32 system I use at work.
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February 1st, 2012 5:46pm

I'm having this exact same issue: I have a shared folder on a Windows Server 2008 R2 and a client computer running Windows 7 accessing this network share. On the Windows 7 machine, I copy a file, then paste to the same folder. Windows automatically renames the file, adding "copy 1". If I then try to rename the new file by simply changing the 1 for a different number (i.e. 6), I get the error "A file name can't contain any of the following characters: \ / : * ? < > |". The only way is to delete about half of the file name and retype the exact same characters I am removing. Then it will take it.
March 28th, 2012 1:01pm

Hi I'm also getting this error from a Window 7 computer naming folders on a network share A file name can't contain any of the following characters: \ / : * ? < The folder name does not conatin these characters. Other users can create folders on the same share on their computers no problem It will eventually work, but usually fails the first time. Most annoying. Anyone got a solution yet please??
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April 13th, 2012 9:55am

Hi ~ Did anyone find a fix for this yet? I have 45 new Windows 7 pro x64 machines exhibiting this behavior on network shares that reside on ALL types of server operating systems: NT4 Server sp6a, Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2003 Server, Windows 2008 Server and even on Windows 7 x64 pro workstation shares. I does not appear to happen when renaming files/folders on XP shares or Linux shares. Its only on Windows server shares and Win7 shares. Have not tested Vista shares (don't have Vista). I am now hesitant to rollout the rest of the 200+ workstations due to this annoying "feature".
May 1st, 2012 9:16pm

This problem happens on Linux servers as well. Users will not find a fix for this as it's a coding error in the operating system. Don't know if I would stop a rollout however as it isn't a show stopper. Mircosoft is very well known for ignoring theses sorts of problems so you will left in limbo. I get this problem quite regularly and now highlight my change and press ^c if the rename is extensive before pressing enter. When/if the message pops up I then rename (f2) again using ^v
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May 16th, 2012 7:30pm

A workaround Drop the folder on this vbs file, or send the folder to this vbs file in the sendto folder. rename.vbs Set fso=CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject") For Each path In WScript.Arguments If fso.FileExists(path) Then Set file=fso.GetFile(path) Else Set file=fso.GetFolder(path) End If name=InputBox(file.Path,"Rename ?",file.Name) If name<>"" Then On Error Resume Next file.Name=name If Err Then On Error GoTo 0 file.Name=name Else On Error GoTo 0 End If End If Next
June 30th, 2012 7:00am

Hi ~ Did anyone find a fix for this yet? I have 45 new Windows 7 pro x64 machines exhibiting this behavior on network shares that reside on ALL types of server operating systems: NT4 Server sp6a, Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2003 Server, Windows 2008 Server and even on Windows 7 x64 pro workstation shares. I does not appear to happen when renaming files/folders on XP shares or Linux shares. Its only on Windows server shares and Win7 shares. Have not tested Vista shares (don't have Vista). I am now hesitant to rollout the rest of the 200+ workstations due to this annoying "feature". Same issue here with the exact same setup. Must be a Server 2008 and WIN 7 x32/x64 bit issue. I would try updateing Server 2008 to the latest update and the WIN 7 64/32 bit with all windows updates and see if that fixes the issue. Please let me know if this works. I'm still looking for a fix.
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July 3rd, 2012 7:35pm

Seeing the same exact issue from Windows 7 and Vista workstations accessing a shared drive. These users are also able to successfully rename the files on a second attempt. Sure sounds like a bug in server code from what I gather on this thread. Would love to see it patched if that is the case. Our users are connecting to servers in Germany from the U.S. and so the latency causes the renaming process to take about a minute to complete by the time you deal with the error and successfully rename.
August 11th, 2012 2:38pm

Same exact issue here. We have Win 2008 R2 Server, remote user connect via Cisco AnyConnect VPN and uses Vista PC with PGP Encryption on it. Anyone got a solution for this? I would appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.
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August 25th, 2012 10:09am

I'd put my bottom dollar on that this is an issue within windows. Normally, the error appears as a bubble in windows 7, but for some reason it comes up as a standard error message in this instance. I have a user on my network who is having the same issue. Also, the standard windows 7 'bubble' error uses the word can't in the place of cannot (Tested on my unaffected machine). More and more people are having the issue, Microsoft don't appear to be doing jack about it... Meh... Should also add that this is happening on my network when a particular user attempts to amend the name of a file hosted on a Windows Server 2008 R2 server from a Windows 7 machine running SP2 and all updates. Considering rebuilding his machine and seeing if the error happens again.
September 4th, 2012 3:13am

Same exact issue here. We have Win 2008 R2 Server, remote user connect via Cisco AnyConnect VPN and uses Vista PC with PGP Encryption on it. Anyone got a solution for this? I would appreciate any help. Thanks in advance. I don't know if we can call this as solution but what I did was I went to the System Configuration and in Services and Startup I've disabled anything the user doesn't need/use to do the daily works (i.e. Intel Management and Security Application Local MAnagement Service, etc.) and the user said that everything works fine now. T3chSupp0rt
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September 6th, 2012 11:50am

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