Unable to Open Shared Folder by Typing "\ShareName" After Computer Name in Address Box (243733)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q243733
NOTE: The information in this article applies to Internet Explorer 5 or later only if the Windows Desktop Update or Explorer Shell component is installed. The Windows Desktop Update component is installed with Windows 98 or it can be optionally installed with Internet Explorer 4. The Explorer Shell component is installed with Windows Millennium Edition or Windows 2000.

SYMPTOMS

When you use My Computer or Windows Explorer to view shared folders on a computer on your local area network (LAN), manually adding a backslash and share name (for example by typing "\sharename") after the computer name in the Address box may result in one of the following symptoms:
  • Internet Explorer starts MSN, The Microsoft Network, automatic searching and attempts to find a match for "computer\sharename" (if automatic searching is turned on, which is the default).
  • Internet Explorer opens "http://computer/sharename" if automatic searching is turned off and a Web site exists at this location on your LAN.
  • Internet Explorer displays an error page titled "The page cannot be displayed" ("Cannot find server" or "DNS Error") if automatic searching is turned off and a Web site does not exist at http://computer/sharename on your LAN.

CAUSE

After you install Internet Explorer 5.01, the two backslashes ("\\") are not included in front of the computer name in the Address box when you are browsing shared folders on a computer on your LAN.

RESOLUTION

Double-click the share name in the Windows Explorer window. Double-clicking the share name causes Windows Explorer to add the two backslashes in front of the computer name. If you cannot double-click the share name (for example, you need to gain access to a hidden share such as "\\computer\c$), type \\ in front of the computer name.

STATUS

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

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about the automatic searching feature in Internet Explorer 5, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

221754 How to Search the Web from the Address Bar in Internet Explorer

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/8/2003
Keywords:kbprb kbui KB243733
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.