BUG: Folder Prefix of % Causes Error During Visual Studio 6.0 Service Pack Installation (291121)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0
  • Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0 SP1, SP2, SP3
  • Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0 SP4
  • Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0 SP5
This article was previously published under Q291121

SYMPTOMS

Special Characters in Folder names can cause undesired results. Specifically, if the percent (%) special character is either at the beginning of or embedded in the folder name that contains the files that are required for a Visual Studio 6.0 service pack installation, an error message results and the installation is terminated.

RESOLUTION

Move Visual Studio 6.0 service pack files to another folder, or rename the folder so that it does not contain %, and then restart the installation of the service pack.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

This error message can occur if the % symbol is imbedded in the folder name or is the first character.

Microsoft highly recommends that you do not use special characters in folder names. The following characters are specifically restricted:

\ / : * ? " < > |

Consider using only characters A through Z (not case sensitive), 0 through 9, and the underscore (_).

If you need to use a character that sorts to the top of the folder name list, consider using the underscore character. Only use long names when necessary because folder names that are longer than the conventional 8.3 DOS format reduce performance.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

  1. Create a folder that has the % prefixed. For example, c:\%VSSP.
  2. Download a Visual Studio 6.0 service pack to this folder from the following MSDN Web site at:

    http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/downloads/updates/sp/vs6/default.aspx

  3. Install the service pack from this folder location, and note that the system reports error messages.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:4/30/2006
Keywords:kbbug kbpending KB291121
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