Member Avatar for Complete novice

Hi Folks,

I am having a problem uninstalling Norton Antivirus. I have the latest version and it is asking me to uninstall the old version before proceeding. Just into the uninstall a dialogue box pops up with......COULD NOT ACCESS NETWORK LOCATION %SYSTEM DRIVE%\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\NICK\MY DOCUMENTS\.

Can anyone help me with this...

Rgds,
CN :confused:

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reported the installer error "COULD NOT ACCESS NETWORK LOCATION %SYSTEM DRIVE%\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\NICK\MY DOCUMENTS\" while trying to install Norton 2005. 's Symantec KB link was already tried, so the most likely remaining causes are a missing or redirected "My Documents" folder, broken User Shell Folder entries in the registry, or permissions/profile issues that make the path unreachable.

Quick, practical checks and fixes:

  1. Confirm the physical folder exists and permissions are OK. Look for C:\Documents and Settings\Nick\My Documents; create it if missing. Set NTFS permissions so the Nick account (or Administrators) has Full Control (XP Home may need Simple File Sharing turned off to see Security).

  2. Inspect and (carefully) correct shell-folder registry values. In Regedit check:

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

    The Personal entry in User Shell Folders should point to a valid location (commonly %USERPROFILE%\My Documents); Shell Folders shows the resolved path (e.g., C:\Documents and Settings\Nick\My Documents). Export the key first, then fix any value that points to a missing drive or UNC share.

  3. After changes, log off/log on or reboot, then retry the uninstall/install. If the Personal value referenced a network/removed drive, switching it back to a local path normally clears the installer error.

Fallbacks and cautions: always export the registry key and create a System Restore point before editing. If the registry/folder fixes fail, try running Symantec’s removal utility from Safe Mode or perform the uninstall from a new local administrator account. Reinstalling the old Norton build and then removing it cleanly is another last-resort option. This error almost always traces back to a broken "My Documents" shell-folder reference rather than the antivirus package itself.

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Member Avatar for Member #2466

Give that a go

Member Avatar for Complete novice

Give that a go

cheers tks.....i gave it a go , but it is still coming up with the same thing when i try to install 2005

rgds,
cn

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