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"The file or folder does not exist" error in Windows Vista

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Diagnose and fix the problem automatically

The Diagnose and repair Windows File and Folder Problems automatically troubleshooter may automatically fix the problem described in this article.This troubleshooter fixes many different problems.

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The Diagnose and repair Windows File and Folder Problems automatically troubleshooter may automatically fix the problem described in this article.
This troubleshooter fixes many different problems.

Learn moreRun now


Note If you would rather fix this problem yourself, go to the "Let me fix it myself" section.

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Symptoms

On a computer that is running Windows Vista, you receive an error message that resembles the following when you try to rename or to move a file or a folder:
The file or folder does not exist.

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Cause

This issue occurs because the <Folder ID> registry keys in the following registry subkey are corrupted or deleted:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions

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Let me fix it myself

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
322756 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows


To fix this problem, create the missing <Folder ID> registry keys in the following registry subkey based on the values in knownfolders.h:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions


Notes
  • If a KnownFolders key exists, but the value differs from the value that is listed in knownfolders.h, a "File and Folder Error User Interaction" page is displayed. You can select YES to set the KnownFolders key to its default settings or select NO to keep the current settings.
  • Additional folder references that are created by the third-party applications in the registry should not be modified.

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How the MATS package works to fix this problem

  1. The MATS package scans your computer and detects if the computer is running an x86-based version or an x64-based version of Windows Vista.
  2. The MATS package creates the missing <Folder ID> registry keys.

    Note During this process, a dialog box appears. This dialog box gives you the option to fix the issue automatically (this is the recommended option) or to manually select individual issues to fix. If you manually select individual issues to fix, you have to select the Renaming or moving files and folders or the Others or I don’t know option from the dialog box.
  3. The MATS package verifies that the missing <Folder ID> registry keys are created successfully.

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Other issues that the MATS package fixes

2394521 Can't empty the Recycle Bin in Windows XP or in Windows Vista
934160 "Network or file permission" or "folder does not exist" error
813711 Changes to the size, view, icon or position of a folder are lost
2394740 Can't select multiple items after upgrading from Windows XP to Windows Vista
2396571 Icons change incorrectly in Windows

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Keywords: kb, kbexpertiseinter, kbtshoot, kbprb, kbsurveynew, kbexpertisebeginner, kbmatsfixme

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Article Info
Article ID : 949109
Revision : 3
Created on : 4/18/2018
Published on : 4/19/2018
Exists online : False
Views : 468