Could not access network location

You can see the error message «Could not access network location» during image creation while installing image creator components.

Cause

Invalid registry entry in the below registry path,

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

Resolution

Select Run from the Start menu and type Regedit.exe. Click OK.
Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

In the right pane, verify that the values are the same as the values in the following table. If each value matches the table, go to step 7.

If any Name, Type, or Value does not match the table in step 3, right-click the Value name, and then click Delete.

In the left pane, right-click User Shell Folders, point to New, click Expandable String Value, type the Name value that you want from the table in step 3, and then press ENTER.

Right-click the value that you created in step 5, click Modify, type the value in the Value data box for the Value name, and then click OK.

Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

In the right pane, verify that the values are the same as the values in the following table. If each value matches the table, go to step 12.

For Windows XP and for Windows Server 2003

If any Name, Type, or Value does not match the table in step 8, right-click the Value name, and then click Delete.

In the left pane, right-click User Shell Folders, point to New, click Expandable String Value, type the Name value that you want from the table in step 8, and then press ENTER.

Right-click the value that you created in step 10, click Modify, type the value in the Value data box for the Value name, and then click OK.

Exit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

Keywords: connection could not be established, registry path, image creator installation.

Error 1606: Could not access the network location

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Error Message

When attempting to add, remove, or change the installation of ArcGIS products, the following error message may return:

Error: Error 1606: Could not access the network location

Note: There are many situations under which Error 1606 may be encountered. If a this error is returned, the best resource to find out why and to help remedy the issue is to provide a Windows Installer log file and analyze it.

Cause

This issue may occur if there is an incorrect setting in one of the registry keys related to Shell Folders.

Solution or Workaround

Warning: The instructions below include making changes to essential parts of your operating system. Esri recommends backing up your operating system and files, including the registry, before proceeding. Consult with a qualified computer systems professional, if necessary. Esri cannot guarantee results from incorrect modifications while following these instructions; therefore, use caution and proceed at your own risk.

Verify that the values that correspond to user Shell Folders are set correctly and have a valid value.

Navigate to Start >Run, type regedit.exe, and click OK.
Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders.
In the details (right-hand) pane of the Registry Editor, verify that the values are the same as the values in the following table. If each value matches the table, go to step 7.

Value Name Value Data ============================== AppData %USERPROFILE%\Application Data Cache %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files Cookies %USERPROFILE%\Cookies Desktop %USERPROFILE%\Desktop Favorites %USERPROFILE%\Favorites History %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\History LocalAppData %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data Local Settings %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings My Pictures %USERPROFILE%\My Documents\My Pictures NetHood %USERPROFILE%\NetHood Personal %USERPROFILE%\My Documents PrintHood %USERPROFILE%\PrintHood Programs %USERPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs Recent %USERPROFILE%\Recent SendTo %USERPROFILE%\SendTo Start Menu %USERPROFILE%\Start Menu Startup %USERPROFILE%\Start Menu\programs\Startup Templates %USERPROFILE%\Templates

Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 and Windows 10

Value Name Value Data ============================== %USERPROFILE%\Downloads AppData %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming Cache %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files Cookies %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies Desktop %USERPROFILE%\Desktop Favorites %USERPROFILE%\Favorites History %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\History LocalAppData %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local My Pictures %USERPROFILE%\Pictures My Music %USERPROFILE%\Music My Video %USERPROFILE%\Videos NetHood %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts Personal %USERPROFILE%\Documents PrintHood %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts Programs %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs Recent %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent SendTo %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo Start Menu %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu Startup %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup Templates %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates

If any Name or Data value does not match the table in step 3, right-click the Value name, and click Delete.
On the left side, right-click User Shell Folders, point to New, click Expandable String Value, type the Name value that was just deleted from the table in step 3, and press Enter to create the variable.
Right-click the value created in step 5, click Modify, type the value in the Value data field for the Value name, and click OK.

Note: Repeat steps 5 and 6 for any of the values that were deleted.

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders.
On the right side, verify that the values are the same as the values in the following table. If each value matches the table, go to step 12.

Windows XP and Windows Server 2003

Value name Value data ============================= Common AppData %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data Common Desktop %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Desktop Common Documents %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Documents Common Favorites %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Favorites Common Programs %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs Common Start Menu %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start menu Common Startup %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup Common templates %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Templates

Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 and Windows 10

Value name Value data ============================= %PUBLIC%\Downloads Common AppData %ProgramData% Common Desktop %PUBLIC%\Desktop Common Documents %PUBLIC%\Documents Common Programs %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs Common Start Menu %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu Common Startup %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup Common templates %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Templates CommonMusic %PUBLIC%\Music CommonPictures %PUBLIC%\Pictures CommonVideo %PUBLIC%\Videos

If any Name or Data does not match the table in step 3, right-click the Value name, and click Delete.
On the left hand side, right-click User Shell Folders, point to New, click Expandable String Value, type the Name value that was removed from the table in step 3, and press Enter.
Right-click the value created in step 5, click Modify, type the value in the Value data field for the Value name, and click OK.

Note: Again repeat steps 10-11 for each of the values that were removed.

Close the Registry Editor, and restart the computer.

Note: Alternatively, use the Microsoft Fix-It utility to automatically clean up the issues and uninstall the program. Refer to Microsoft Support: Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed for more information.

ArcMap

How to fix Error 1606: Could not access network location in Windows 10/11?

Error codes on Windows are a headache for anyone using the operating system. For the most part, the developers at Microsoft Corporation promise that such error codes—together with the frustrating pause they bring to your work—can be resolved with regular updates. However, this is…

How to fix Error 1606: Could not access network location in Windows 10/11?

Table of contents

What Are the Reasons for the Error Code 1606 on Windows 10?
How to Resolve “Error Code 1606. Could Not Access Network Location” on Windows 10/11
- Restart Your Computer
- Check Program Compatibility Using the Windows Compatibility Troubleshooter
- Revise the Documents Permission
- Create Another Local User Account
- Edit Registry Keys
- Check for Malware
- Update Your Operating System
Error codes on Windows are a headache for anyone using the operating system. For the most part, the developers at Microsoft Corporation promise that such error codes—together with the frustrating pause they bring to your work—can be resolved with regular updates. However, this is not a hard-and-fast remedy.

So, to understand how to fix “Error code 1606. Could not access network location.” in Windows 11/10, you need to answer the question, “What is error code 1606 on Windows?” In other words, you have to ask questions like “What are the reasons for the error code 1606 on Windows 10 and Windows 11?” before bringing into play the methods of how to resolve “Error code 1606. Could not access network location.”

From the answers to questions like the above, you might find that the most suitable solution to the error code 1606 is the detection of malware using Auslogics Anti-Malware, for example. All in all, a quick and permanent resolution of the error code 1606 is not impossible.

What Are the Reasons for the Error Code 1606 on Windows 10?

“Error code 1606. Could not access network location.” is a glitch in Windows 10 and 11 that usually comes up when Windows users attempt to install certain programs on their computers. Of course, as a result of this error code, the installation attempt fails, and users have to begin scouring the internet for what Error Code 1606 stands for and how to fix it quickly and permanently.

In truth, there are quite a number of reasons for this error code. The most common ones are as follows:
- Faulty Windows Registry settings (usually a broken key/subkey in the operating database)
- Incompatibility of programs with the current operating system
- Folder redirection or permission problems
- The presence of malware
From this list of suspects, you may have already begun to realize that you won’t have to apply for a university program or acquire a diploma in software studies to fix the error code 1606. In a nutshell, as long as you effectively address the aforementioned issues, you will have your computer—and your mood—back to normal in no time.

How to Resolve “Error Code 1606. Could Not Access Network Location” on Windows 10/11

We have highlighted 7 different ways with which you can fix the error code 1606. Each of these suggestions has the potential to solve the problem, so you should keep trying until you find the best solution for your case.

Restart Your Computer

Your computer is a machine with many tiny—and not tiny—parts inside (and on) it. No matter how advanced this machine is, it still requires the occasional recharge or ‘juicing up.’ This is one of the reasons restarting a computer is the most common solution to any computer problem.

So, in the case of the error code 1606, the first thing you should try is to restart your computer. The Windows operating system will be refreshed after a restart. Therefore, close all the programs currently running on your computer and initiate a restart.

Bonus point: Use Ctrl + D to go straight to the desktop. Then, use Alt + F4 to bring out the power options. Scroll down to Restart and press Enter.

Once your computer has restarted, try installing your software again.

Check Program Compatibility Using the Windows Compatibility Troubleshooter

If restarting your computer does not resolve the problem, the next best thing to consider is program compatibility.

Although Windows 11 is the latest edition of Windows, there have been a handful of others. These include Windows 10, 8, 7, etc., as well as their ‘Pro’ and ‘Home’ versions. Some software developers have fallen behind on updating their programs to be properly integrated with the current Windows version. This is one basis for the occurrence of the error code 1606.

Following this thought, all you need to do to fix the problem is to use the Troubleshoot compatibility option, which comes with Windows 10 and 11. There is more than one way to make use of this feature, but we will highlight two of such procedures:
1. Directly run Troubleshoot compatibility by right-clicking the application file of the software you want to install and choosing the option in question.
2. Use the Windows key + R to get to the Run console. Type Control into the console and press Enter on your keyboard. This takes you to the Control Panel page. Next, click the Programs option, and then choose “Run programs made for previous versions of Windows”.
In both cases, the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter will be run. You can follow the options from there and try installing your software when the computer has finished fixing the problem.

Revise the Documents Permission

If the issue persists after you have sorted out everything that has to do with Windows compatibility, you should revise the permissions of Public\Documents. The error code 1606 might be telling you (in code) that the Windows installer has been restricted because it can’t make changes to the Public\Documents directory. And it needs to be able to do this – or some software installations will fail.

In order to fix this issue, you need to revise the Public\Documents permission. As usual, there are many ways to do this. However, you can revise this permission in the following easy steps:
1. Open File Explorer, go to Local Disk (C:), open Users, move to Public, and finally, navigate to Public Documents. You can shorten this process by typing C:\Users\Public into the File Explorer address line.
2. Right-click on the Public Documents folder and navigate to Properties.
3. Click on the Security tab.
4. Click the Edit option.
5. Tick all the boxes under the Allow heading to get full control of the folder. As an aside, ticking only Full control will result in all the boxes being ticked.
Try installing your software.

Create Another Local User Account

The reason why you revised the Public Documents permission in the last fix is so that you would have more control over your computer’s processes. So, if that didn’t work, we suggest that you go even further in acquiring more control over the computer’s core activities. So, create another local user account.

To create a new local user account, do the following:
1. Use the Windows key + X and click Computer Management from the list of options.
2. Under the Systems Tools subheading on the Computer Management page, click on Local Users and Groups.
3. Next, right-click on Users and select New User.
4. Fill in the required information with a new username and password.
5. Untick the User must change password at next login option, and tick Password never expires.
6. Click Create.
7. Double-click on Users again, and right-click on the account you created so you can select Properties.
8. Navigate to the Member Of tab and click on Users and then Add.
9. Inside the Enter the object names to select dialog box, type Administrator, and click OK.
10. Deselect the Startup items & services option.
11. Next, restart the computer and log in to the user account you just created.
Then attempt to install your software.

Edit Registry Keys

So far, we have put forward simple, easy-to-do fixes that should resolve the error code 1606, which is hindering you from installing software packages. If all of them have been to no avail, it’s time to edit the Windows Registry, which is a bit more technical.

The Windows Registry is a very sensitive space inside your computer. It is like the Matrix of your Windows operating system, and it holds the information and instructions needed for your computer to run effectively. So, if you keep getting the error 1606, your computer isn’t running effectively, meaning that there might be a problem in the Registry somewhere.

You can edit the Registry to make sure the error 1606 goes away, but you need to be careful. Practically every Registry key is important, so you have to click and type with caution.

Here is what you should do:
1. First, you need to get to the Registry Editor. You can search for it in the Start menu or hit Win + R and type in Regedit. Both options take you to the Registry Editor page.
2. Under Computer, expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
3. From the ensuing options, expand SOFTWARE.
4. Next, expand Microsoft, open Windows, go to CurrentVersion, and then select Explorer.
5. From the options under Explorer, double-click Shell Folders.
(You can use the address line in the Registry Editor page to reach here. Simply type in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders and you’ll be redirected to the same page.)
1. Navigate to the right-hand side of the Registry Editor and select Common Documents.
2. Next, move your cursor to the dialog box under Value Data.
3. If the box is empty, type in C:\Users\Public\Documents.
4. Exit the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
What you have just done is similar to what you did when you revised the Public Documents permission. So, once your computer has booted up again, try installing the software.

Note that if the Value Data: box is not empty and already has C:\Users\Public\Documents, this means that the error code 1606 is coming from somewhere else.

Check for Malware

Once you have tried everything listed above, there is a very high probability that the error code 1606 will stop popping up and hindering the installation of your software. However, if none of the above-listed suggestions has helped you to fix the problem, malware may be responsible.

In the case of the error code 1606, what malicious programs do is get in the way of your operating system efficiently carrying out the instructions you have sent to it. Such malware could change the properties of very important program files, thereby rendering them effectively useless. To get rid of these malicious programs, you need a solid anti-malware software package.

Anti-malware (or anti-virus) programs are a dime a dozen. There are products in this category that are free and others that require subscriptions. Needless to say, there are also those that are very effective in curtailing the harmful activities of malware and those that are really just decorative programs. Without question, the kind of anti-malware you need to fix the error 1606 is the former.

Thankfully, the default Windows antivirus (Windows Security) does a decent job of getting rid of many kinds of malware. The only drawback to using this program is that it might overlook new or variant malware. So, you would need something more flexible and specific for dealing with malicious computer entities, some of which could be responsible for the error code 1606.

Update Your Operating System

As an extension of the last suggestion, you can simply update your operating system and let Microsoft Corporation worry about the error code 1606. We have stretched this suggestion a bit too far, but that is essentially why your Windows computer regularly reminds you to update the operating system.

As is the case with any progressive establishment, the manufacturers and developers of your hardware and software do not want you to have to deal with issues like the error code 1606. So, they usually collect information on how computers like yours run on a daily basis and think up ways to resolve issues that may come up. These solutions are packed into the updates you get, so downloading and implementing them should help you keep your computer up to date and free from error codes like 1606.

As you might have already noticed, this means that it is important that you allow Microsoft to collect information from your computer. This will make it easier for it to diagnose whatever issues you are faced with and fix them for you.

Finally, the error 1606 is not very common, nor is it very rare. So, knowing how to fix “Error code 1606. Could not access network location” in Windows 11 and Windows 10 means that you wouldn’t have to pull your hair out.

How to fix Error 1606. Could Not Access Network Location?

Are you facing Error 1606. Could not access network location when installing or opening any Autodesk products? This article will help you to solve this error.

One of my blog readers contacted me on Whatsapp asking for assistance in fixing this error. For me to be able to help solve this error, I had to understand what was causing this error and then look for a solution. It took me about two days to find a solution, and here I am to save your time to help you fix this error.

The reader was facing Error 1606. Could not access network location? while installing AutoCAD 2018. The same error may occur with other Autodesk products like 3Ds Max, Revit, Revit LT, Maya, Maya LT, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD LT, ArtCAM, Civil 3D, Inventor, Flame, BIM 360 etc. Users may face this error during installation or when opening an Autodesk product.

The error I was dealing with was as below;

Error 1606. Could not access network location?

Autodesk\AutoCAD 2018\R22.0

with the options of Retry and Cancel.

The error message’s path may differ in each case based on the Autodesk product and its location. Let’s try and understand the reason for this error.

Reason:
- The most common reason is folder restriction. Folder restriction is unsuitable for any Autodesk products and may cause installation or startup errors.
- You may have installed Autocad or any other AutoDesk products previously and uninstalled it subsequently but did not remove it completely.
- Inappropriate Window registry settings of Shell Folders or User Shell Folders.
- User or public profile folders are missing or restricted.
- The operating system is corrupt.
Solution:

There are several reasons which can cause this error, and therefore there are several solutions to resolve this error. We will start with the most workable solution.

01. Review and set correct Shell Folder registry keys

There are four registry keys we have to check in the Shell Folder and User Shell Folder. If they are not there, we have to create them. Follow the steps below to review and create the Shell Folder registry keys.
1. Type Regedit in the search box next to the start menu, right-click on it and open run as administrator.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders in the registry editor.
3. Check for the registry Common Documents. If it is there. Confirm its field value
  - Name is Common Documents
  - Type is REG_SZ
  - Data is C:\Users\Public\Documents
1. If you do not see the registry key Common Documents from the previous step, create it by following the steps below;
  - Right-click on Shell Folders on the left navigation pane, go to New and select String Value.
  - It will create a key with the name New Value #1. Rename it to Common Documents, set its type to REG_SZ and set C:\Users\Public\Documents in the data.
2. Go to the path using File Explorer and confirm that the folder exists under C:\Users\Public (It can be a Document or a Public Document). If it does not exist, create a Documents folder.
3. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the Common Documents key in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders in the registry editor.
4. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the Common Documents key in HKEY_LOCAL_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders in the registry editor.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the Common Documents key in HKEY_LOCAL_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders in the registry editor.
6. Try to install AutoCAD or any Autodesk products you were trying to install to confirm whether this solution has fixed your problem. If this does not solve the error try the next solution
02. Verify the following to correct missing profile folders
1. Type Regedit in the search box next to the start menu, right-click on it and open run as administrator.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders in the registry editor.
3. Check the public profile paths (Highlighted in the image below). If they are redirected to a different drive or folder, change them to the original default location C:\Users\Public\…
1. Check that the folders exist in the public profile in C:\Users\Public…. If they do not exist, create them manually.
  - C:\Users\Public\Desktop
  - C:\Users\Public\Documents
  - C:\Users\Public\Music
  - C:\Users\Public\Pictures
  - C:\Users\Public\Videos
2. If this does not solve the error try the next solution.
03. Remove the traces of previous installation(s)

There are two methods to do this. Complete method-01 first and then move on to method-02 to ensure complete removal of traces.

Method 01: Remove the traces of the previous installation using the Revo uninstaller

This method could almost clean 98% of the traces of previous installations and at times can clean 100% of the traces. Follow the steps below to remove the traces of the previous installation.
1. Download Revo Uninstaller free version.
2. Install Revo Uninstaller.
3. Disable antivirus, windows defender and firewall prior to performing the uninstallation process.
4. Open Revo Uninstaller.
5. Select the AutoDesk product’s software or element one by one that you would like to clear or uninstall.
6. Uninstall using advance mode.
7. Select all and click on delete or uninstall.
8. After removing all traces of Autodesk product’s particular version, restart your computer.
Click here and watch the video from 5:25 to 10:00 if you have a problem understanding steps 1 to 6 above.

Method 02 : Remove the traces of the previous installation using Microsoft Installation Troubleshooter
1. Go to this link and click on Download troubleshooter to download Microsoft Installation Troubleshooter.
2. Run the downloaded file and click on the Next button.
3. Click on Uninstalling.
4. Choose your AutoDesk program and click on Yes, try uninstall.
5. Repeat this until you remove all the elements of your AutoDesk program that could create this problem.
6. After removing all the traces of Autodesk product’s particular version, restart your computer.
Click here and watch the video from 10:10 to 12:02 if you have a problem understanding steps 1 to 6 above.

After performing both traces cleaning methods, confirm this solves your error. If it does not, follow option 04.

If you have any issues with the procedure or have not been able to resolve the error, please feel free to reach out to me using the Whatsapp button How may I help you? Below or by using the comment box.

Last updated on August 2, 2022

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Could not access network location