ACC: "Cannot Change Working Directory to Default" Error Msg (95904)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Access 1.0
  • Microsoft Access 1.1
  • Microsoft Access 2.0
This article was previously published under Q95904
Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

SYMPTOMS

When you start Microsoft Access, you may receive the following error message
Couldn't change working directory to <Default Database Directory>. Click OK or press ENTER to continue.

where <Default Database Directory> is the path that appears as the Default Database Directory property in the Items box when you choose Options from the View menu.

Choosing OK or pressing ENTER opens Microsoft Access.

CAUSE

You receive this error message if any of the following is true about the Default Database Directory property:
  • The property is not pointing to a valid path.
  • The path is longer than 64 characters.
  • In version 1.x, if the property is a period (.), there is one space before it. This problem does not occur in version 2.0.

RESOLUTION

Make sure that the path shown in the Default Database Directory property does not exceed 64 characters and that no leading space precedes a period if a period is present.

MORE INFORMATION

To check the default directory for Microsoft Access, follow these steps:
  1. Start Microsoft Access and open any database.
  2. From the View menu, choose Options.
  3. In the Category box, select General. In the Items box, select Default Database Directory.
Typically, during Microsoft Access installation, the default directory is set to ".", which represents the Microsoft Access Startup directory.

You can also set a default directory to ".\subdir" and it will set the default to a subdirectory under the Microsoft Access startup directory called "subdir." Or you can specify a complete path.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/9/2003
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb kbsetup KB95904
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