Error 1324: The Folder Path Contains an Invalid Character

When installing an application in Windows, you might get “Error 1324 The Folder Path Contains an Invalid Character“. This is usually caused by an invalid character in the User Profile.

Fix 1 – Install Under Different Profile

See if you can install the software using a different user account.

1. Hold the Windows Key and press “R” to bring up the Run dialog.
2. Type “logoff“, then press “Enter“.
3. Try to login with a new user (if available). If you don’t have another account, you can try to create a new one.
4. Attempt to install the software again.

Fix 2 – Fix Shell Folders Via Registry

1. Hold the Windows Key and press “R” to bring up the Run dialog.
2. Type “regedit“, then press “Enter“. The Registry Editor appears.
3. Navigate to the following location in the Windows Registry:
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER
   • Software
   • Microsoft
   • Windows
   • CurrentVersion
   • Explorer
   • Shell Folders
4. Open the “Personal” value and make sure that it the Value data is set to “C:\Users\<username>\Documents“. Where it says <username> would be your actual username. For example, if you username is “jsmith“, you would want the value to say “C:\Users\jsmith\Documents“
5. Close the Registry Editor, then restart your computer.
6. Attempt to install the software again.

Fix 3 – Remove Invalid Character from Registry

Microsoft has a suggestion that says to remove the invalid character from the registry if you’re aware of what the invalid character is.

1. Hold the Windows Key and press “R” to bring up the Run dialog.
2. Type “regedit“, then press “Enter“. The Registry Editor appears.
3. Select “Edit” > “Find“.
4. Type the invalid character in the “Find What” box, then select “Find Next“.
5. If the invalid character is found, change it. Press F3 to continue searching.
6. Attempt to install the software again.