Receiving "Error: Access is denied" when using fsutil setshortname

Win7Wilson13 · 08 Jul 2013

I am trying to use the fsutil setshortname to set "Program Files" to PROGRA~1, but the system is giving me an "Error: Access is denied" response. The following is what I have typed:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Windows\system32>cd ..
C:\Windows>cd ..
C:\>fsutil.exe 8dot3name set 0

C:\>fsutil file setshortname "C:\Program Files" PROGRA~1
Error: Access is denied.

C:\>fsutil file setshortname "Program Files" PROGRA~1
Error: Access is denied.

As you can tell, I first tried to do a reference to the path of Program Files, and failed. Then, I tried without the path file and got the same result.

What could be the reason that the system is denying the access? Thanks.

(P.S. This Command Prompt is ran as Administrator, so that shouldn't be the issue)

Ztruker · 08 Jul 2013

Well, the shortname is already set as you want.

Code:

C:\>dir /x pro*
 Volume in drive C is Win_8
 Volume Serial Number is 3400-1036

 Directory of C:\

07/06/2013  08:56 PM    <DIR>          PROGRA~1     Program Files
07/01/2013  08:23 PM    <DIR>          PROGRA~2     Program Files (x86)
               0 File(s)              0 bytes
               2 Dir(s)  72,667,992,064 bytes free

Edit: I get the same Access denied when I try it.

pavulon · 18 May 2015

In my case my Program Files and Program Files (x86) had no short names (checked it with dir /x).

To fix it I followed these steps:

Run Windows in Safe mode with Command Prompt
cd to C:\
fsutil file setshortname "Program Files" PROGRA~1

Now it worked fine for me.