XCLN: Error Message: Directory Change Failed. Defaulting to Previous Directory (244506)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
  • Microsoft Outlook 97
  • Microsoft Outlook 98
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5
This article was previously published under Q244506

SYMPTOMS

In Outlook, when you click Tools, click Forms, click Choose Form, and then set Outlook to look in the User Templates in File System folder, you may get the following error message:
Directory change failed. Defaulting to previous directory.

CAUSE

The Templates in File System folder may be set incorrectly. To troubleshoot this error, check the following:
  • Is the folder location correct?
  • Are there templates in the folder?
  • Does the folder exist?
  • Is the folder read-only?
  • Is the folder on a network location that is not accessible?

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, do any of the following:
  • To check or change the folder location, do the following within Microsoft Word.
    1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the File Locations tab.
    2. For the User Templates option, specify the folder where the Outlook .oft files are located or copy your templates to the location specified.
  • If there are no templates in the folder, you need to move a template to this location, or create a template, and save it to this location.
  • If the folder does not exist, you need to create a folder location, and copy the templates you want to use to this folder.
  • If the folder is read-only, you need to change the attributes to this folder to read-write access.
  • For network access, you need contact your system administrator or try again later.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/28/2005
Keywords:kbprb KB244506
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