Remote Desktop Error: The system cannot find the file specified. C:\WINDOWS\system32\ \mstsc.exe.MUI

Ran into an interesting problem this morning. After booting up my PC, starting the various apps (OutLook 2002, SQL Server Studio Manager 2008, etc.) I was able to connect to one server using Remote Desktop (aka RDP). Upon trying to connect to a second system, I started to get the following error message:

The system cannot find the file specified. C:\WINDOWS\system32\ \mstsc.exe.MUI

Will still logged into the server, I tried to start a second instance using RDP, but received the same error message.

I googled the error message and found various solutions (the best solution to review ishttp://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/itproxpsp/thread/164d1e0b-51e6-4201-9dc2-3f4a0ccb14e5 ), however, none of the solutions appeared to work.

I tried to check for viruses/malware, etc. but nothing was found. I tried to re-load the various dll(s) and exe(s), but still received the error message.

The next solution was to try and see what may have changed on my system (new programs, etc.). I noticed there was an update downloaded onto my system (C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log): AutomaticUpdates Success Content Install Installation successful and restart required for the following update: Update for Windows XP (KB969084). the update is related to Remote Desktop.

I restarted the system, still received the RDP error messages. It was not until I did a complete «Install updates and Shutdown», then restarted my system that everything started working again.

FYI, here is some information on my system:

XP Professional: Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.091208-2036: Service Pack 3)

Just wanted to post this in case someone else runs into a similar problem.

Argue your limitations and sure enought they will be yours. — Richard Bach, Illusions

Process.Start in C# The system cannot find the file specified error

This is a silly and tricky issue that I am facing.

The below code works well (it launches Calculator):

However the below one for SoundRecorder does not work. It gives me «The system cannot find the file specified» error.

I am able to launch Sound Recorder by using Start -> Run -> «c:\windows\system32\soundrecorder.exe» command.

Any idea whats going wrong?

I am using C# in Visual Studio 2015 and using Windows 7 OS.

UPDATE 1: I tried a File.Exists check and it shows me MessageBox from the below code:

3 Answers 3

Most likely your app is 32-bit, and in 64-bit Windows references to C:\Windows\System32 get transparently redirected to C:\Windows\SysWOW64 for 32-bit apps. calc.exe happens to exist in both places, while soundrecorder.exe exists in the true System32 only.

When you launch from Start / Run the parent process is the 64-bit explorer.exe so no redirection is done, and the 64-bit C:\Windows\System32\soundrecorder.exe is found and started.

In most cases, whenever a 32-bit application attempts to access %windir%\System32, the access is redirected to %windir%\SysWOW64.

[ EDIT ] From the same page:

32-bit applications can access the native system directory by substituting %windir%\Sysnative for %windir%\System32.

Cmd.exe The System Cannot Find The File Specified C:\windows\system32>

I am new to this site so a quick hello to all!

The reason I’m writing is recently my computer has developed a problem. I am running Windows XP home addition and when I start up the computer I get a screen message just before the desk top loads stating Cmd.exe The System Cannot Find The File Specified C:\windows\system32> If I X out the message box the program continues to load normally to the desk top. I don’t seem to have any problems once I get passed the message screen but can’t figure out why it’s suddenly displaying this message. I have not added or deleted any software. Any help would be appreciated.

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Have you moved any programs on the system?

Are you by any chance running a program called Ansicon

Start > Type Regedit — Navigate to the following key

Do you see any programs listed in two different locations?

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Start > Type CMD > Press Enter

Does CMD (command prompt) window load?

Type Sfc /scannow > Press Enter

This is to see if it is working properly or if you receive an error message.

The scan will take a few minutes

Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files

Have you recently scheduled a New Task on the computer?

If the system was fine two days ago or so, perform a system restore to earlier date/time.

Welcome to the Community.

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The CMD (command prompt) window loaded.

Ran Sfc /scannow did not show any errors.

Not sure what you mean by did I schedule any new tasks?

This problem has been occurring for a couple of weeks just haven’t had time to research it until now.

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The Task Scheduler enables you to automatically perform routine tasks on a chosen computer. The Task Scheduler does this by monitoring whatever criteria you choose to initiate the tasks (referred to as triggers) and then executing the tasks when the criteria is met.

The Task Scheduler can be used to execute tasks such as starting an application, sending an email message, or showing a message box. Tasks can be scheduled to execute:

• When a specific system event occurs.
• At a specific time.
• At a specific time on a daily schedule.
• At a specific time on a weekly schedule.
• At a specific time on a monthly schedule.
• At a specific time on a monthly day-of-week schedule.
• When the computer enters an idle state.
• When the task is registered.
• When the system is booted.
• When a user logs on.
• When a Terminal Server session changes state.

Try using System Restore. You may have Restore points listed that go further back than 2 weeks. See if this helps.

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I got as far as Command Processor but did not see anything listed as Auto Run?

That’s because it’s in a different place:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ Software\Microsoft\Command Processor\AutoRun

(although I’m not sure what Smitty has in mind by » programs listed in two different locations»)

If nothing is apparent at the above location, please do the following:

1. Go to http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx
2. Either download and save Autoruns and then run it or choose to «Run Autoruns now from Live.Sysinternals.com
3. After the Autoruns scan is complete (it will show «Ready» at the bottom left of the window), click
   File > Save and then save the file named AutoRuns.arn someplace that you will be able to find again (like your Desktop).
4. Go to https://onedrive.live.com
5. If you aren’t automatically signed in, sign in using the same username (email address) and password that you use to log in to the forum here to post questions
6. Click «Upload», browse to the place where you saved AutoRuns.arn, select it, and click «Open» to start the upload process
7. When the upload is complete, right click the file (in the OneDrive window in your browser) and select «Share».
8. Click «Get a link» and then «Create link»
9. When the link appears, Copy it and then Paste it into your Reply in this forum

FYI, what all of the above steps do is create a report of everything that starts when your computer starts and uploads that report to «the cloud.» As far as I’m aware, there shouldn’t be any personal information in that report, but if you’re uncomfortable, say so and people here will help you to use the report yourself (this may take a bit longer).

The system cannot find the file specified c windows system32

Вопрос

Добрый день, недавно столкнулся с такой проблемой.

Имеем файловый сервер с диском

8TB, который презентован с внешнего хранилища. На этом диске есть несколько папок, предоставленных по-отдельности в общий доступ. В сумме они занимают около 4TB.

Для бэкапа этого сервера имеем отдельный SCDPM 2012 build 4.0.1908.0 с ленточной библиотекой, но без выделенных HDD. На DPM создана PG, объединяющая все сетевые папки этого 8-терабайтного диска.

При попытке создания точки восстановления на ленту через 4-10 часов копирование завершается с ошибкой «The system cannot find the file specified (0x80070002)»

Я подозреваю, что в течение такого долгого копирования с большой вероятностью возникает какая-то сетевая проблема и бэкап полностью фейлится.

В данный момент я подумываю о разделении одной большой PG на несколько меньших, но по какой-то причине консоль не позволяет мне этого сделать. Если я удаляю сетевую шару из одной PG, то не могу добавить ее в другую, вновь созданную PG. Мне сообщается, что «Other Items of this datasource are members of another protection group.»

Теперь собственно вопросы:

1) Есть ли какой-то способ победить ошибку «The system cannot find the file specified (0x80070002)» без переконфигурации PG?

2) Можно ли вообще разделять PG, которая защищает ресурсы, расположенные на одном физическом диске?

Error 2: The system cannot find the file specified. Even after restarting the printer spooler service

I tried all the suggestions posted and have had no success in restarting my print spooler. Please help.

Original Title: I tried to restart the print spooler as directed, and it returned the message Error 2: The system cannot find the file specified. What does that mean and is it fixable?

Trying to start the Print Spooler Service you see a message like this:

Could not start the Print Spooler service on Local Computer.
Error 2: The system cannot find the file specified.

If you look at the Print Spooler Service in the Services applet, it shows the Print Spooler Service set to Automatic, but it is not running and will not start.

If you look in the Event Viewer System log you will see a message similar to this:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Service Control Manager
Event Category: None
Event ID: 7000
Description:
The Print Spooler service failed to start due to the following error:
The system cannot find the file specified.

An Error 2 means that the specified file could not be found.

In the case of the Print Spooler Service, the most likely file to be missing is:

I can assure you with 100% certainty that running sfc /scannow will not help you. That is not how SFC works, that is not what it does and that is not what it is for. Plus, if you do not have a genuine bootable XP installation CD of the same Service Pack as your installed Service Pack SFC is going to complain — alot.

You could «try» running sfc /scannow if you are compelled to do so, but it will not help you.

I can also assure you with 100% certainty that the Microsoft automated Fixit troubleshooter will not help you either.

You must replace the missing or corrupt file manually.

We know that XP keep backup copies of critical system files in other places on your system.

When you find a copy of the missing file, copy it and paste it into the c:\windows\system32 folder where it belongs.

Use the Windows Search or Explorer to navigate to the folder where the backup files are, find the spoolsv.exe file, copy it and paste it into the c:\windows\system32 folder where it belongs.

The best place to look for backup copies of missing system files are:

c:\windows\system32\dllcache
c:\windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 (depending on your installation)

If you find a copy of spoolsv.exe is either of those folders, copy and paste it into the c:\windows\system32 folder

When pasting the file into the c:\windows\system32 folder, respond in the affirmative if asked to replace or overwrite the existing file.

See if you can start the Print Spooler Service now.

Reboot your system and test to be sure that things are working properly after rebooting.

If you can’t find the file there, search your hard drive(s) and see if you can find a copy. You could also copy the missing file from a working system using a floppy or USB device, email the file to yourself etc.

If you still can’t find a copy of the spoolsv.exe file, there is one on my SkyDrive you can download to your system to your system.

Deleting the spoolsv.exe file manually would require some extra effort since it is one of the 3498 files that Windows XP automatically looks after. Windows File Protection should automatically replace the file quickly and silently if it ever disappears.

Replacing the file may provide immediate relief for the symptom of the problem but does not actually fix the real problem. which is how did the file ever come up missing in the first place? It is important to fix the actual problem and not just treat the symptom of the problem.

If there is not a copy of the spoolsv.exe file in the c:\windows\system32\dllcache folder, there needs to be. That is where Windows File Protection looks for copies of the 3498 files that is monitors. If the a file is missing from the dllcache folder, Windows File Protection will not be able to replace the file if it ever comes up missing.

Possibilities for critical XP files to come up are some malicious software has afflicted your system or your antivirus or antimalware programs thought the file was infected (maybe is really was) and quarantined/deleted the file.

I uploaded a copy of the XP Pro SP3 file you need to my SkyDrive (everybody has a SkyDrive for sharing files).

You can download it and when you do, put a copy of the file in these folders (assuming Windows is installed on your C drive):

c:\windows\system32
c:\windows\system32\dllcache (that is where XP keeps backup copies of important files).

Here is the link to my SkyDrive and you can look for the file you need there:

When you see the files available for download, you may not see the file extension (.exe, .dll, .cpl, .sys, .zip, etc.), but when you download them they will have the correct extension.

When you download the file (especially if you use Internet Explorer), when you get a chance to save the file, your browser may not save the file with an extension (like .exe, .dll, .cpl, .sys, .zip, etc.) so you will have to manually add the proper extension to the file when you download the file before you save it.

You can download the file with no extension and then rename the file to add the proper extension. You don’t want to try to use a file called spoolsv when the file name really needs to be called spoolsv.exel (if the downloaded file has no extension you will have to change the name of the file to add the proper extension to get it to work.

You then need to put the downloaded files in the correct folders on your system.

That may not solve all your issues, but you will at least be past that part and then we can fix the rest.

Somehow I knew a Microsoft engaged Support Engineer «expert» would suggest running SFC and the Fixit. this tells me that they have not bothered to reproduce the problem and see if their own ideas work This is a real shame that these «expert» keep repeatedly sending folks on these wild goose chases, but that is how they do things around here.