I cannot uninstall my current version or install the new version because I always get the following error "The folder path 'Program Files (x86)' contains an invalid character."
How do you get ITunes to actually uninstall or install new versions when it doesn't like the path for some completely unknow reason. This is on a Windows7 system and by the way a lot of other programs are using this folder without any issues so it is clearly an Apple problem.
Try the following user tip:
"not a valid short file name" and "invalid character" install errors
Similar Messages
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I cannot load or delete I Tunes from my computer. What comes up is- The folder path "program files" contain an invalid character?
That's normally produced by a damaged iTunes.msi. The basic treatment for it is given in the following user tip:
["not a valid short file name" and "invalid character" install errors|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2368028]
... but since Microsoft pulled the Windows Installer CleanUp utility from their Downloads Center, things have grown more difficult. First we have to find a copy of the utility.
Let's try Googling. (Best not to use Bing, I think.) Look for a working download site for at least version 3.0 of the Windows Installer CleanUp utility. After downloading the utility installer file (msicuu2.exe), scan the file for malware, just in case. (I use the free version of Malwarebytes AntiMalware to do single-file scans for that.)
If the file is clean, to install the utility, doubleclick the msicuu2.exe file you've downloaded.
Now start with *step 4* from the user tip, and proceed from there.
(If you do find a clean download site for the correct version of CleanUp, please don't tell me where it is. Without wishing to sound paranoid (although I grant it does sound paranoid), there is a non-zero chance that posting links to download locations for the utility here at Discussions leads to that download location being shut down.) -
Itunes was working fine. Tried to install latest upgrade and get error message about an invalid character in the path "Program Files (x86)". PC, Win7, nothing else appears to be having same issue. Program still works, simply cannor upgrade.
Thanks b noir,
I tried this solution without success. After FixIt ran and didn't find a problem, either in looking for issues with "software upgrade" or "iTunes" it kindly offered to help me uninstall iTunes. I had thought of this as a possibilty but it seems to me that if you do that you lose a lot of "non-native-to-Apple" information you might have entered. I did this once and recovery was painfull. Is there a way to uninstall iTunes without losing all of that sort of thing? Any help would be appreciated. -
Can not download and install Itunes 10 - Get this message "The folder path 'Program Files' contain an invalid character. I tried to uninstall my old Itune through Control Panel but get the same message. What do I need to do?
Perhaps try the following user tip with that one:
"not a valid short file name" and "invalid character" install errors -
ITunes fails to install update "folder path program files contains an invalid character"
I'm trying to get the newest version of itunes, but I keep getting "the folder path program files contains an invalid character." I've seen on here before attempts to use Microsoft fix it and Windows Clean up which I've tried and both haven't helped. I've gone to youtube and tried to delete the appropriate folders under the registry edit. Nothing seems to work. I need the new itunes to update my iphone because of the recent hardware crash via the new update.
At what stage in the process does this occur?
For general advice see Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates.
The steps in the second box are a guide to removing everything related to iTunes and then rebuilding it which is often a good starting point unless the symptoms indicate a more specific approach. Review the other boxes and the list of support documents further down the page in case one of them applies.
The further information area has direct links to the current and recent builds in case you have problems downloading, need to revert to an older version or want to try the iTunes for Windows (64-bit - for older video cards) release as a workaround for installation or performance issues, or compatibility with QuickTime or third party software.
Your library should be unaffected by these steps but there are also links to backup and recovery advice should it be needed.
tt2 -
I do not have the Driver folder in this folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support like it says I should and my Apple Iphone appears in Portable Devices only, not in Universal devices. I tried uninstalling the driver and reinstalling it. My Iphone is still not recognized by Itunes when I plug it in. I can see my photos in the internal storage folder on my Windows 7 system though. So I know my PC sees the device. The Iphoneis an Iphone 4 with IOS 6 installed. It was working fine until I had to reinstall my Windows system. Now Itunes does not see it. I've uninstalled Itunes and reinstalled it (64bit) to no avail. Where is the Driver folder article TS1538 talks about?
Sorry I missed your post. Anyone else with the same issue should find useful resources at Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates.
tt2 -
Can I delete older version after installing a newer version of Firefox?
I have other software that when I install a newer version, it runs off the older one but adds to it...meaning I can't uninstall the older one or the new one won't work. Can I uninstall the older versions of Firefox when I install a newer one? I don't like having all this stuff on my computer!!!
Yes, if you have used you computer and feel you have all of the settings and preferences file you need then delete it.
Joe -
Install iTunes 10.4.1 install error - The Folder Path "File Name" contains an invalid character
Upgraded computer from XP Prof 32-Bit to Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit (Upgrade package, performed Custom Install).
Attempt to install iTunes 10.4.1 for 64-Bit. Receiving the following error/problem:
The Folder Path "File Name on my external drive" contains an invalid character
I click ok and then get this:
The Installer encountered errors before iTunes could be configured. Errors occurred during installation. Your system could not be modified, Please run the installer again, or click Finish to exit.
Any fixes for this?Sorry, one of us is not managing to be clear enough.
Does the message read The Folder Path "File Name on my external drive" contains an invalid character or perhaps The Folder Path "<some path name here>" contains an invalid character?
If so, then the problem might be just what it says it is with the path name in question... Either way if you list the path given in the error message in a reply to this thread it might provide a clue for anyone tying to help with the problem.
You could try downloading the installer to C:\iTunesSetup.exe in case that helps.
tt2 -
I can t update my ipod 4th gen. for facebook because I uninsatalled the program itunes from my computer as it didn t work well it would freeze on me all the time. So i installed another version for windows 7 premium 64 bits, but when i tried to open it it wouldn t let me as it said it coudn t read the music library from the last version of i tunes . So I uninstalled it too. So Now I really don t know what to do ??????
thanks I didn't end up needing to try it! my ipod randomly decided to work again like "hmm, Ellie seems to have been really annoyed at me for ages now, maybe I should try being nice to her or something like that"
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How do i uninstall an old version and install a new version without losing personal settings?
mac x 10.6.8
* See [[Uninstalling Firefox]] to know how to Remove Firefox
* Review [[Installing Firefox on Mac]] article to know how to Install Firefox on Mac -
So basically, the main problem I've been having is since today I have not been able to access iTunes. After trying to repair, check for updates, etc. I uninstalled everything related to iTunes and reinstalled. Everything was going well until I was told to verify that I have access to that specific file listed in the title. Which to me is strange because I'm the only one who has access to this computer.
I am having the same issue with Vista 64 bit: After many failed download attempts ("network error") the Progress Bar briefly appears and that's it.
Searched for solution that led me to running "Microsoft FixIt", deinstalling iTunes, Apple Software Update, Mobile Dev Support, Bonjour, and Application Support - even manually deleting common files that were left over (tough with Vista). No difference. FYI, I was able to get rid of the Apple folder in Program Files (x86)/Common File, but not in Program Files/Common Files ... but that shouldn't make a difference as I am installing iTunes64Setup.exe, right?
I even tried iTunes 10.7 and 10.6.3 from Apple's support page ... same differnce.
Had a lot of security updates on 1/22/14 (all related to Office 2007 (including SP3), though). So I tried to restore past this point, but an "unknown error" occurred and I am stuck where I am ... lovely.
So now my system is chopped and I seem to not be able to get iTunes even close to my computer ... :-(
Just Irritatedtech said: Any suggestions are highly welcome ... - Thx. -
After I installed the latest version of ITunes I get a message saying I'm missing the SQlite3.dll file. I have even unistalled the new version and then re-installed, still same message.
With Windows Explorer, navigate to your C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support folder.
Copy the SQLite3.dll that you should find there, navigate to the nearby Mobile Device Support folder, and Paste it in there also.
Restart the programme all should be well
In case that your OS is (64 bit)
1. Open windows explorer, go to location C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support
2. Copy file "SQLite3.dll"
3. Now paste it in the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support
4. Restart the programme, it should not display that message, it should be clear.
Good Luck -
Hi friends,
My server Intelligence Agent (SIA) can not start because the database service "SQLAnywhereForBI" can't start also. I got the following error :
"I . 08/09 20:35:06. A read failed with error code: (1392), Le fichier ou le répertoire est endommagé et illisible.
E. 08/09 20:35:06. Fatal error: cannot write to transaction log "C:\Program Files (x86)\SAP BusinessObjects\sqlanywhere\database\BI4_Audit.log"
E. 08/09 20:35:06. unable to start database "C:\Program Files (x86)\SAP BusinessObjects\sqlanywhere\database\BI4_CMS.db"
E. 08/09 20:35:06. Error writing to transaction log file
I. 08/09 20:35:06. Database server shutdown due to startup error "
inside the database log file.
Please, can you help meI found the solution by following the advice given on the following forum:
http://evtechnologies.com/transaction-logs-on-sybase-sql-anywhere-and-sap-businessobjects-bi-4-1
In fact, I crushed the BI4_Audit.db and BI4_Audit.log files and I replaced with others that I got from another machine where I installed BO again and where the files are not corrupted . After I logged in to the CMS database by executing the command in the command line:
dbisql -c "UID = DBA; PWD = mypassword; BI4 Server =; DBF = C: \ Program Files (x86) \ SAP BusinessObjects \ sqlanywhere \ database \ BI4_CMS.db."
Once connected, I start the command:
alter database 'C: \ Program Files (x86) \ SAP BusinessObjects \ sqlanywhere \ database \ BI4_Audit.db' alter log off;
The query runs successfully.
And that's good, I can be connected to BO smoothly.
Thank you again Eric -
'Program Files' contains an invalid character when installing iTunes 10.5
I'm getting an error when I try to install iTunes 10.5: "The folder path 'Program Files' contains an invalid character". Nothing has changed on my machine, I don't see any invalid characters in the path where I'm installing iTunes, and I have now tried to install this manually. Any ideas how to proceed?
Thanks!what was the answer to work around this error message.. i am having the same problem trying to unistall quicktime..
thanks -
64bit iTunes64Setup installing in 32-bit Program Files (x86)
Is Apple's 64bit ITunes being blocked by Windows?
Why is iTunes64Setup.exe asking permission to install in 32bit app folder C:\Program Files (x86)\ in Windows 8 64-bit?
Is Apple holding back on Windows?
A weird thing happened with my latest Windows 8 system OS instalaltion (BTW on a nice platform with 8.1 Windows performance rating).
ITunes was not installed on this 64bit system only Windows and a few 64bit apps installed in C:\Program Files\.
Only music files inside the ITunes folder would play in Windows Media Player. Copy-move in-out reboot shutdown etc.
As if "ITunes footprint..."
Quoting Microsoft tier 2 engineer, who shared some thought with me today.
Did Apple or Microsoft or both activate something?
Most Bing and Google searches for "64bit ITunes" result blogs complaining of bugs, typical newbie computer owner stuff.
But today, so many bugs where no two blogers have the same problem.
Would iTunes64Setup.exe install without bugs if it used the default 64bit app folder C:\Program Files\ in Windows 8?
Hmmm, the only repeater blogs complained that music files would not play for countless reasons.
My expert query is obvious: why Program Files (x86) and not Program Files?
If ever there was a red herring, that is it: Windows 8 does not prompt permission from 64bit apps to install into 32bit resources... except with ITunes!
(example, even partially 32bit creative cloud apps like 64Photoshop prompt 64, though they place 32 components in x86\adobe)
This weird install only happens for my pc desktop adobe graphics station.
My Mac Book Pro 64bit (Applecare active) installs in the correct location.
Which kind of falls back into yet another agregious microsoft vs apple war going on?
I have to post here, because there is no Apple telephone suppport for PC screwups, of course.
Please don't let this post go public, already too much trouble.
But a serious inhouse answer would be appreciated. TIA.
Oh as I was young and easy in the mercy of his means,
Time held me green and dying
Though I sang in my chains like the sea. -- Dylan Thomas
Message was edited by: OsiyoEXACTLY! Ditto most of Microsoft's 64bit stuff. But why the prompt to use x86 and not the 64bit folder? If most of tha APP subs are 32, fine. Is there some rule that the components needed for 64 are missing? And what's with Windows Media Player bilking on anything outside my last ITunes install - way when last year some time?
If feedback inspired by Windows tier 3 p. engs goes nowhere, why waste time in a blog. Anyway...
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