Share via

There is a file or folder called "c:\Program" which could cause certain applications to not function correctly. Renaming it to "c:\Program1" would solve this problem

Anonymous
2013-09-04T00:43:40+00:00

Original title: "file name warning" message

In the past week or so, I have been getting a warning box that shows up on my desk top (of Windows 8) whenever I boot up.  It says "There is a file or folder called "c:\Program" which could cause certain applications to not function correctly.  Renaming it to "c:\Program1" would solve this problem.  Would you like to rename it now?" and there are 2 options: "rename" or "ignore".  I "Binged" it, and there are some very old discussions about this (like 5+ yrs ago) and the consensus seems to be that it is a Windows issue.  What do I need to do to get rid of it?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
  1. Anonymous
    2015-06-06T12:54:24+00:00

    Ok so here is how i SOLVED this problem.

    In my case while investigating this on a clients device i found that a VOIP program was causing this issue and the error message popped up, and renaming the folder wont work because the program is running.

    So i found the voip program (in the task bar in this case) and closed it. I then found the folder that needed renaming, "c:\program" and renamed it to "c:\program1"

    Then restarted the computer and... No pop up.

    Hope this helps.

    70+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

50 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-01-29T01:08:44+00:00

    Ok I know this is an old issue now but just thought that as this is one of the top results people get when searching at least some relevant information should be available on the subject.

    Now the reason in most cases that this occurs is because something has been installed on the system in question that has made a new folder on the system drive called c:\program or c:\programs, (where c:\ is the system drive), and installed into that folder. Whether it is adware, a virus or a user/system administrator installed program is inconsequential.

    Window's then brings up the file name warning. It does this because windows uses environmental variables such as %systemroot%, %ProgramFlies%, and also folder structure variable abbreviations such as progra~1 and progra~2 whenever most correctly written programs are installed and or run. It does this so that it can easily find the locations it needs to execute other elements of software, save, and install no matter what drive letter your system uses eg c:, d:, z:\ etc.

    By installing anything to a newly made folder called c:\program, (or %systemroot%\program), windows then, using folder structure variable abbreviations, thinks the folder "Program" is PROGRA~1 where PROGRA~1 used to be "Program Files" and, (in the case of x64), PROGRA~2 used to be "Program Files (x86)". This would then make "Program Flies" become PROGRA~2 and "Program Files (x86)" become PROGRA~3. Any program already installed on the system and also future installs could then be trying to use the wrong folders to save/install/load and may not function correctly.

    As I said sorry to answer such an old thread but I hope this helps someone.

    100+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-29T02:26:10+00:00

    Soooooo....WhatShouldOneDoIfThisComesUpAgain?

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2014-03-11T20:27:49+00:00

    You can duplicate this on any windows computer.  I tried it on a Windows XP, Windows 7, all the way to Windows server 2102.  Just create a file called "program" on the C: drive, log off, and log back on.  You will see the error.  Delete or rename the file and do it again and the problem is gone.

    So if it returns, you obviously have some automatic job that creates the file by mistake.  Like if you wanted to type this:    dir   >>"c:\program files\test.txt"   

    but instead typed this  dir   >>c:\program files\test.txt"

    You will get an error message but you will now have a file called Program on your C:.   Log out and in and you get the warning.   Anyway, I think this is because Windows knows there is a folder called "Program Files" and it could cause problems later.

    8 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2014-05-13T02:48:06+00:00

    The folder creates an annoying message every time computer is restarted, so leaving the folder is not a solution.

    I have solved my problem by restarting computer in a safe mode with command prompt and using the latter to delete the folder. No system messages since then.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments