Setup Error: File xxx.xxx Open/Creation Access Denied (84940)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11
This article was previously published under Q84940

SYMPTOMS

Microsoft Windows or Windows for Workgroups Setup displays the following error message when you reinstall Windows or Windows for Workgroups
File <xxx.xxx> open/creation access denied. This file may be in use by another application or is in use by the operating system.
where <xxx.xxx> is TIMER.DRV, MMSYSTEM.DLL, or Screen Font files (*.FONs).

CAUSE

This message appears when all the files have been deleted from the Windows directory but not from the Windows SYSTEM subdirectory.

If you choose Retry after receiving this error message, the same message is displayed again. If you choose Skip, the files are not be copied to the Windows SYSTEM subdirectory. However, this should not affect the Windows installation because the files are already present in the Windows SYSTEM subdirectory.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/26/2003
Keywords:KB84940
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.