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. This fix seems to do the trick for most.

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.

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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 the “Value data” is set to “C:\Users\<username>\my 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\my documents“
5. Repeat these steps each of the following registry keys:
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ User Shell Folders
   • KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion
   • KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Shell Folders
   • KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ User Shell Folders
6. Close the Registry Editor, then restart your computer.
7. Attempt to install the software again.

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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.

You can search the Windows registry for the invalid character that is displayed in the 1324 error message and replace all instances of the invalid character with the correct character. For example, if the 1324 error message refers to “system32/”, you should search for “system32/”. If you find any instances in the registry, modify them, so that the registry values correctly reference the System32 folder.

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.

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Fix 4 – Unhide the Drive

If you’re in an educational or corporate environment, Group Policy may be used to set the Home directories and hide the drive. I have seen this cause issues with software installations. Ensure the Home drive is not set to a hidden drive, and the software should install just fine.