'The system cannot find the file specified' Windows error
Jul 09, 2025 am 02:07 AMWhen encountering the error "The system cannot find the file specified", you should first check whether the file path exists or spelling errors, then check whether the permissions are insufficient, then confirm whether the environment variables or registry configuration is correct, and finally consider system files or driver issues. 1. Check whether the path exists and whether the spelling is correct, especially the manually entered path or the target path of the shortcut. It is recommended to move the file to a simple English path to test; 2. If the file exists but cannot be accessed, it may be insufficient permissions. You can check the user permissions in the security tag, or try to run the program as an administrator, and use the icacls command to obtain permissions; 3. If it is a development tool, script or third-party software problem, you need to check whether the environment variables such as PATH and Java_HOME are set correctly, use Process Monitor to track file access, and confirm whether the script call method is correct; 4. If there is no problem with the above, it may be that the system file is corrupt, the hard disk is bad, or the driver is incompatible, you can run sfc /scannow to check the system file, use chkdsk to check disk errors, and update or reinstall the disk driver.
When you double-click a file or run a program, the error message "The system cannot find the file specified" suddenly pops up. This is usually not as simple as the file being deleted. It may be caused by path problems, permission settings, system configuration abnormalities, etc.

1. The most common reason: the file path does not exist or is spelled wrongly
The most direct reason for this problem is that the system cannot find the file path you want to access. for example:

- The file has been moved or deleted
- The path contains Chinese or special characters, resulting in recognition failure
- The path to the program call is written incorrectly (such as development tools, scripts)
Solve Suggestions:
- Check if the path is complete and correct, especially the path entered manually
- If it is a shortcut, right-click to view the "target" path in the property, right?
- Try to put the file in a simple English path, such as
C:The system cannot find the file specified Windows errorTestThe system cannot find the file specified Windows error
, and then run it.
2. Insufficient permissions lead to inability to access the folder
Sometimes the file clearly exists but you do not have access permissions, and this prompt will also appear. This situation is more common when accessing protected system directories or encrypted folders.

Solution:
- Right-click the file or folder → Properties → Security tab to see if the current user has "read" permission
- If not, try running the Explorer or related program as an administrator
- Or use the command prompt to run
icacls "文件路徑" /grant administrators:F
to obtain permissions (remember to replace the actual path)
3. Error in environment variables or registry configuration
If you are running certain development tools, batch scripts, or third-party software, it may be because they rely on an incorrect configuration of environment variables or registry keys.
Stroke thoughts:
- Check whether the environment variables required by the program are set correctly (such as Java_HOME, PATH)
- Use the Process Monitor tool to track which files are attempted to access when the program starts, and see which link is interrupted
- If it is a script written by yourself, check whether the method of calling the external program is correct, such as using the wrong startup method or parameter format
4. System file corruption or driver problems
Although it is not very common, such errors may also occur if the system files are corrupted, the hard drive is broken, or some drivers are incompatible.
You can try these operations:
- Run the system file check tool: Open the command prompt as an administrator and enter
sfc /scannow
- Update or reinstall disk drivers
- Check hard disk errors:
chkdsk C: /f
(C is your system disk and may need to restart before execution)
Basically these common possibilities. In most cases, it is a problem with paths or permissions. Just start with a simple investigation.
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