Error Message: The Folder (Path) Is Invalid (166990)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 1.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.02 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.x for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.02 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows NT 4.0
This article was previously published under Q166990

SYMPTOMS

When you specify the installation folder for Internet Explorer during Active Setup and then click Next, you may receive one or both of the following error messages:
The folder '<path>' is invalid. Please make sure that the folder is on your local hard disk and that you have specified a subfolder (for example, C:\Iexplore).
If you click OK, you are prompted to specify another installation folder.

If you click Cancel, you receive the following error message:
Internet Explorer 4.0 is not completely installed on your computer. Are you sure you want to quit Setup?

CAUSE

These error messages can occur for any of the following reasons:

  • You are attempting to install Internet Explorer to a network drive.
  • You are attempting to install Internet Explorer to the root folder on a local drive or download to the root folder on a mapped network drive.
  • You are attempting to download Internet Explorer to a network share using a Universal Naming Convention (UNC) path.
  • You are installing Internet Explorer on a Server-Based Setup installation of Windows 95 (using a floppy disk or Remote Program Load [RPL] boot).

    NOTE: If you attempt to install Internet Explorer to a folder on a local drive, you may only receive the second error message.

MORE INFORMATION

Internet Explorer Active Setup does not support any of the download or installation methods listed above.

NOTE: You cannot install Internet Explorer to a network drive, but you can download the Internet Explorer installation files to a network drive for others to install.

To download Internet Explorer to a network drive for others to install from, follow these steps:

  1. Map a network drive to the computer Internet Explorer will be downloaded to, and then run Internet Explorer Active Setup. To map a network drive to the computer you want to download Internet Explorer to, click Map Network Drive on the Tools menu in Windows Explorer, click the drive letter you want to use in the Drive list, type \\<server>\<share>, where <server> is the computer name, and <share> is the folder you are installing Internet Explorer to) in the Path box, and then click OK. For example, click E: in the Drive list, and type \\Server\Iexplore in the Path box.
  2. When you are prompted whether to install or only download Internet Explorer, click the Download Only check box to select it, and then click Next.
  3. Click the download option (Standard, Enhanced, or Full) you want to use, and then click Next.
  4. Click the appropriate Active Channel region, the click Next.
  5. Specify the drive letter you mapped in step 1 and a folder. For example, specify: E:\Iexplore.
  6. Click Next, and then proceed through Internet Explorer 4.0 Active Setup.
Internet Explorer installation files are specific to the operating system initiating the download. For additional information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

174680 Downloading Internet Explorer for Windows 95 and Windows NT

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/5/2003
Keywords:kberrmsg kbsetup KB166990
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.