Getting the directory name an invalid error? Fix it in 8 ways!
Encountering the ‘The Directory Name is Invalid’ error on your Windows PC? This problem commonly arises when connecting external disks, such as SD cards and USB flash drives. It can be a real headache because you can’t access your storage devices. However, there’s no need to worry!
In this post, we’ll delve into the reasons behind this Windows error and provide you with 5 easy-to-follow solutions. No need to seek assistance from professionals – you’re able to easily resolve the issue on your own. Let’s get started now!
Part 1: What causes the directory name is invalid error?
In fact, you may recevie the ‘The Directory Name is Invalid’ error due to various reasons. Below are some common ones:
- Your drive is experiencing bad sectors due to prolonged usage.
- Malware or viruses have infected your storage device.
- The disk drivers in your computer are outdated or corrupted.
- The drive itself is malfunctioning.
- You lack permission to access specific folders or devices.
- The computer can’t recognize the external drive you have connected.
Part 2: Recover data from the drive with the directory name is invalid error
When facing the ‘The Directory Name is Invalid’ in Windows 10/11, the first thing to do is ensure the safety of your data. That’s where Tenorshare 4DDiG data recovery comes in. With just a few clicks, this tool can help users recover lost/deleted files from inaccessible drives. What’s more, it supports the recovery of over 2000 file types, including videos, photos, documents, archives, audio, etc. So, if you don’t have a backup, free download this program and follow these steps to easily recover your files:
Step 1: After launching the tool, you’ll see a list of all storage devices that can be scanned in the home interface. Then, select the problematic drive and click the “Scan” button to proceed.
Step 2: Tenorshare 4DDiG will perform a deep scan on the disk you selected immdeiately. During this process, you can locate your lost files using the file view or tree view options on the left panel.
Step 3: Select all the files you want to restore and click the “Recover ” button. Then, choose a secure location on your PC and click “OK” to save the recovered files.
Part 3: 8 Proven ways to fix the directory name is invalid error
Here are 5 solutions have helped numerous users fix the ‘The directory name is invalid’ in Windows 11/10. We’ve categorized them based on various scenarios, enabling you to quickly find a suitable method.
Scenario 1: The directory name is Invalid for USB/SD card/HDD
3.1 Use another USB port
In fact, you can easily resolve the ‘The Directory Name is Invalid USB’ error by changing the USB port. Yes, you heard it right. USB ports are susceptible to damage from dust and water due to their exposure. If you use a damaged USB port, you may be unable to access the connected external drive. Therefore, try using a different USB port to solve this issue.
3.2 Repair disk errors
As mentioned before, one reason behind the ‘The Directory Name is Invalid USB’ error can also be bad sectors. Fortunately, Windows provides various built-in tools to help you fix disk errors. Here’s how to use one of them:
Step 1: Right-click on the Start button and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the menu.
Step 2: Type the chkdsk /f /r C: commend and hit the Enter key to run it. Remeber to replace “C:” with the drive letter assigned to your drive.
Step 3: If you’re be prompted to schedule the check for the next restart, type Y and press Enter.
Step 4: Restart your computer and wait for the repair process to complete.
3.3 Update or reinstall disk driver
If the ‘The Directory Name is Invalid SD card’ error persists, it may be because you haven’t updated the disk drivers on your computer for a long time. An update might address this problem, and if not, you may need to reinstall the correct disk drivers. Here is how:
Step 1: Press Windows + X and select “Device Manager.” Next, expand the “Disk drives” category from the list.
Step 2: Right-click on your disk drive and choose “Update driver.”
Step 3: Alternatively, you can select the “Uninstall device” option for reinstallation.
3.4 Create a new partition
The last solution for the ‘The Directory Name is Invalid SD card’ error is to create a new partition on your drive using unallocated space. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Right-click on the Windows Start button and choose “Disk Management.”
Step 2: Locate and right-click the unallocated space on the problematic drive. Then, select “New Simple Volume.”
Step 3: Follow the wizard to set the size, assign a drive letter, and choose a file system.
Step 4: Once finished, reconnect the drive to your computer.
Scenario 2: The directory name is invalid for Command Prompt
3.5 Check the path in CMD
First of all, it’s worth checking that you’re using the correct naming convention in CMD. Many users often confuse the forward slash and the backslash when entering a path. Unlike File Explorer, tools like Command Prompt can’t automatically correct the forward slash. That’s why they encounter the error message ‘The Directory Name is Invalid’ when trying to open a file.
3.6 Change the Command Prompt properties
Some advanced users mentioned that changing the Command Prompt properties is also a solution. To fix the ‘The Directory Name is Invalid’ in CMD, follow these steps:
Step 1: Type CMD into the search box. In the right-side options, click on “Open file location.”
Step 2: Perform a right-click on the Command Prompt shortcut. Then, choose “Properties.”
Step 3: You’ll see a text box next to the “Start in” field.
Step 4: Type “%WINDIR%” and click “OK” to apply the change.
Scenario 3: The directory name is invalid for Windows 10/11
3.7 Boot into safe mode
When you start your computer in Safe Mode, Windows doesn’t any run third-party apps or services. This provides you with a clean environment, making it easier to fix issues like ‘The Directory Name is Invalid.’ Given below is a guide on how to boot into Safe Mode:
Step 1: Press Windows + I, select “Update & Security,” and click on “Recovery.”
Step 2: Under “Advanced Startup,” hit the “Restart now” button.
Step 3: This will take you to the Windows Recovery Environment. From there, go to “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Settings.”
Step 4: Click “Restart” and when the Startup Settings menu appears, press the F4 or 4 key.
3.8 Check your permissions
If you don’t have enough permission to access a file or folder, Windows will prompt you with the error message ‘Directory name is invalid.’
Step 1: Right-click on the affected folder and select “Properties” from the menu.
Step 2: Go to the “Security” tab. Under the “Group or user names” section, check if your user account has the necessary permissions.
Step 3: To modify permissions, click on the “Edit” button.
Step 4: Now, select your user account.Check the box next to “Full Control” under the “Allow” column.
Step 5: Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
Conclusion
The error message ‘Directory name is invalid’ is a common issue on Windows that may occur due to several reasons, such as hardware failure, virus attacks, or file system corruption. You can try all the methods mentioned above to get rid of this error. However, the bad news is that you may lose important files after fixing it. In such a case, Tenorshare 4DDiG can be your ideal choice for data recovery.
