"Error 1325 - File name is not a valid short file name" error message after you reinstall Office to a new drive (328162)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office XP Professional
  • Microsoft Office XP Small Business
  • Microsoft Office XP Standard
  • Microsoft Office XP Students and Teachers
  • Microsoft Office XP Developer
  • Microsoft Access 2002
  • Microsoft Excel 2002
  • Microsoft FrontPage 2002
  • Microsoft Outlook 2002
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2002
  • Microsoft Word 2002
This article was previously published under Q328162

SYMPTOMS

When you try use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel to remove Office XP or make changes to your Office XP installation, you may receive the following error message:
Error 1325 - File name is not a valid short file name.

CAUSE

This issue may occur if you have reinstalled Office XP on a new drive after you moved or removed the drive in which Office XP was originally installed.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue:
  1. Download and install the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility. For additional information about how to download and install the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    290301 Description of the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility

  2. Click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Windows Install Clean Up.
  3. From the list of installed programs, click Microsoft Office XP , and then click Remove. Note that the exact name of this entry may vary.
  4. Click OK to confirm the removal, and then click Exit.
  5. Restart your computer, and then install Office XP.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:2/16/2006
Keywords:kbtshoot kberrmsg kbprb kbsetup KB328162
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