OL2000: ErrMsg: "The Specified protocol is unknown" (218332)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
This article was previously published under Q218332

SYMPTOMS

When opening a folder on the Outlook Today page you receive the following error message:
Internet Explorer cannot open the Internet site Outlook:\\<Personal/folder name>/Calendar. The specified protocol is unknown.
In the above example, Personal/folder name is the name of your personal folder which includes the single slash character (/).

CAUSE

The single slash character is interpreted as a folder separator when used in folder names. This is also true for the backslash character (\).

RESOLUTION

Rename the folder using a different name separator, such as the underscore character (_).

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

The Outlook Today page is created with HTML. The characters, / or \ when used in a folder name are interpreted as a folder separator by the HTML parser. If you include these characters in the folder name you will receive the error message. To rename the folder use the following steps:
  1. On the Folder List, right-click Outlook Today.
  2. Click Advanced.
  3. On the General tab, type the name of the folder and change the / character to an underscore _. Click OK and OK.
NOTE: The following list of characters may be used in folder names.

*
?
<
>
|

NOTE: The following is from an unconfirmed customer report.

You may also be able to workaround this issue by clearing the URL paths located in the following registry key:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Outlook\Today\Folders

The only reference needed is the folder name, not the complete URL.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/9/2003
Keywords:kbbug kbpending KB218332
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.