Tip: dealing with a snipping tool error instead? We show you what to do.
What Is “The System Cannot Find the Path Specified” Error?
“The system cannot find the path specified” error means the currently logged-in PC user does not have the proper permission to access a file or folder. It’s encountered in the Command Prompt while navigating to a directory path using cd or trying to open unavailable files from their links using a dir. The error message also shows on a Windows desktop while attempting to install or start a program. The path specified errors used to be a common annoyance in Windows 7 and earlier versions. They may still occur in Windows 10 and its predecessors (due to user mistakes) but are increasingly rare in Windows 11 because of its support for advanced malware control. Here’s how to deal with this error if it ever shows up.
1. Fix the Invalid Folder Path
While typing within Command Prompt, users may mistakenly type an invalid folder path. (It’s so much easier to copy-paste them.) To rectify this, cross-check the actual folder path and make changes.
2. Delete Invalid Environment Path Variables
To help navigate the files and folders, Windows uses a series of shortcut commands called environment variables, the most important of which is the %path% variable. You can manually check its entire list to determine whether there are any invalid entries, which should be deleted immediately.
3. Modify Owner for File/Folder Permissions
Whether you log in as an administrator or otherwise, you may find yourself not having the permissions for the file or folders you want to access. This can be fixed by modifying the owner as shown. Good to know: File Explorer not functioning the way it’s supposed to? Try these fixes for common problems.
4. Ensure File/Folder Path Location Is Accessible
A file or folder path location may be inaccessible for many reasons. Find out by going to the designated folder and right-clicking the file to view its Properties. If the folder can be opened directly from its folder path (which can be viewed in “Location” under the “General” tab), it means there are no problems enabling folder access. There are many other techniques to view inaccessible folders, as covered in this example for opening the WindowsApps folder in Windows.
5. Check If the File/Folder Wasn’t Deleted
Sometimes you may just find one of the files or folders missing because they got deleted without your knowledge. As a result, the system cannot find the specified path in Command Prompt and other modes. To check the current status of deleted files and folders, use the search icon in its File Explorer window, which will display a list of currently available items. Also, check the Recycle Bin to see if those deleted files are still there.
6. Recreate Shortcuts for the Concerned File/Folder
The path specified error may occur spontaneously if there were corruptions in shortcuts for a folder. In such cases, you need to delete those shortcuts and recreate them again in the File Explorer window.
7. Turn On Controlled Folder Access
There are some third-party apps that can make changes to your folder’s permissions without your knowledge, including making their paths inaccessible. To prevent this, Windows offers a security feature called Controlled Folder Access, which can undo any changes that are harmful to your device.
8. Check Device Performance and Health
If your Windows device is not healthy, you may have trouble with malware that can bring undesirable changes to your system. To undo the damage, it is helpful to check device performance and health and take corrective actions where required.
Tip: if you’re not a fan of Windows’s built-in security suite, you can permanently disable the Windows Defender.
9. Enable Virus & Threat Protection Settings
If a piece of malware was snuck into your computer, you can remove it easily using Windows Defender’s Virus & Threat Protection settings.
10. Update Security Intelligence
Chances are a new malware variant may have arrived, causing problems with file and folder access. This can be rectified by using Windows Defender’s Security Intelligence feature, which fights zero-hour threats.
11. Download & Install All Pending Windows Updates
If you haven’t updated a Windows device, it can introduce errors in system folders, rendering them inaccessible. Therefore, finishing a pending update is the best way to address this.
12. Use Troubleshooting in Advanced Startup Mode
If all else fails, you can fix the specified path access errors using troubleshooting steps in Advanced Startup mode. Tip: you can give Windows 11 a go, without fully removing Windows 10 from your system. Image source: Pexels. All screenshots by Sayak Boral.
