Error 1325: Documents Is Not a Valid Short File Name

Applies to:
Palisade software tools

Issue

Installing any Palisade software tools fails with the error:

Error 1325. Documents is not a valid short file name

Cause

This error occurs when the path to the My Documents folder is incorrect or misconfigured.

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Resolution

Step 1: Update the Default My Documents Location (Windows 10)

1. Click Start, then open File Explorer.

2. Right-click Documents and select Properties.

3. Click the Location tab.

4. In the Target field, do one of the following:

   • Enter:
     C:\Users\username\Documents
     then click OK,
     or

   • Click Restore Default, then click OK.

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Step 2: Update the Registry Path

Important: Before modifying the registry, ensure you have a current backup of the registry and virtual machine. See Microsoft article 136393 for registry backup instructions.

1. Click Start > Run, type regedit, and click OK.

2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER
   \Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
   

3. Update the My Documents value to:

   C:\Users\username\Documents
   

Note:

• In Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Vista, set the Documents path to:

  %userprofile%\My Document
  

After correcting both the folder location and registry entry, rerun the installer.