Powershell command returns ERROR: The network path was not found

Question

Hello.

I have a batch file that utilizes the openfiles commandlet. The syntax of the script is the following:

C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -executionpolicy bypass -File C:\Scripts\StampMe.ps1 C:\Output\Protom\mghroswl3con.txt

openfiles /Query /S mghroswl3.partners.org > C:\Output\Protom\mghroswl3con.txt

The output file generated by the script is 0 bytes in size, and when the script is run interactively, the error message that appears on-screen is

ERROR: The network path was not found.

I have confirmed the remote system is in the domain, the hostname can be resolved through DNS, and the remote registry services are running as well. What other steps can I take to correct this problem?

Answer 1

The error message "ERROR: The network path was not found" typically indicates an issue with network connectivity or configuration when trying to access a remote server. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve this issue:

1. Check Network Connectivity: Ensure that the machine running the script can reach the remote server. You can use the ping command to verify connectivity.
2. Verify SMB Protocol: Make sure that the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol is enabled on the remote server. You can check if the TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper service is running, as this service is necessary for SMB connections. If it's stopped, start it and set it to run as Local Service.
3. Firewall Settings: Check the firewall settings on both the local and remote machines to ensure that they are not blocking the necessary ports for file sharing (typically TCP port 445).
4. Mapped Drives: If you are using mapped drives in your script, ensure that they are accessible and that the user running the script has the necessary permissions to access them. You may also want to try accessing the remote share directly using the UNC path (e.g., \mghroswl3.partners.org\share) to confirm access.
5. Remote Registry Service: Although you mentioned that the remote registry service is running, double-check that it is configured correctly and that the account running the script has permission to access the remote registry.
6. Check for Typos: Ensure that there are no typos in the server name or any paths used in the script.
7. Run as Administrator: If the script requires elevated permissions, ensure that it is being run with administrative privileges.
8. Review Event Logs: Check the event logs on both the local and remote machines for any related error messages that might provide more insight into the issue.

By going through these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the underlying cause of the network path error.

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References:

• Error when you run an Update cmdlet in an Exchange Server 2010 environment: The network path was not found
• Can't access shared folders from File Explorer in Windows 10

Answer 2

Hello Kaplan, Andrew H,

Thanks for laying out the details so clearly that helps narrow things down. The error you’re seeing with openfiles /Query /S isn’t about DNS or the remote registry service itself; it usually comes from how the OpenFiles utility communicates with the target machine. A few things are worth checking here:

First, OpenFiles requires that File and Printer Sharing is enabled on the remote system, and that the Server service is running. Even if the machine is domain‑joined and resolvable, if those components are disabled or blocked by firewall rules, the query will fail with “network path not found.”

Second, the command relies on Remote File Management being turned on. On the remote machine, run openfiles /local on and reboot , this enables tracking of open files. Without that, queries from another system will return nothing or error out.

Third, permissions matter. You need to run the batch file with administrative rights, and the account must have admin privileges on the remote server. If you’re launching it under a context that doesn’t have those rights, the query will silently fail and produce a zero‑byte output.

Finally, check the firewall profile on the remote host. The “File and Printer Sharing (SMB‑In)” rule must be allowed for the network profile in use. If it’s blocked, the OpenFiles query won’t be able to connect even though DNS resolves fine.

I hope this helps,

If this guidance proves helpful, please kindly click “Accept Answer” so we know we’re heading in the right direction 😊. And of course, I’m here if you need further clarification or support.

Domic Vo.