Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The folder may be located in an unavailable location, protected with a password, or the filename contain illegal characters

Scenario:
You got the following error while trying to access the sharepoint site using SharePoint Designer.

Error : The folder 'http://localhost' isn't accessible. The folder may be located in an unavailable location, protected with a password, or the filename contains a / or \.

Solution:
This can be because of many reasons, lets see

1. There is no such site or folder ?
2. This location is unaccessible because you are using FORM Authentication ? You need to extend the web application on another port to connect to SPD.
3. Url contains illegal characters ?
4. Url contains file names i.e. default.aspx

Got one for from comments :-)

Another thing to check in Central Administration > Application Management > Authentication Providers
Make sure "Enable Client Integration" is set to "Yes".

Fix any of the above issues, close the SPD fully and open again..access the site you should be able to get to it.

16 comments:

Anonymous,  April 10, 2009 at 11:08 AM  

I ran into this same issue. To fix it I went into Central Administration and clicked on "User Permissions for Web Application" and the permission option titled "Use Remote Interfaces - Use SOAP, Web DAV, or SharePoint Designer interfaces to access the Web site" was unchecked. I checked this option, restarted Designer and now the site opens fine.

Anonymous,  April 13, 2009 at 3:47 PM  

Another thing to check is that in Central Administration - Application Management -Authentication Providers the "Enable Client Integration" is set to "yes".

Anonymous,  April 15, 2009 at 2:10 PM  

Guys I tried the above tips Still i get the same error. I have installed SPD on a machine and the sharepotn server is on the same network.

when I open a sharepoint site in SPD its asks me for username password and gives the error message

Anonymous,  April 15, 2009 at 2:11 PM  

Guys I tried the above tips Still i get the same error. I have installed SPD on a machine and the sharepotn server is on the same network.

when I open a sharepoint site in SPD its asks me for username password and gives the error message

Sandeep April 15, 2009 at 2:26 PM  

Whats the error are u getting ?

Anonymous,  April 15, 2009 at 7:20 PM  

The same error that this post is about. I see that Use Remote interfaces has been checked already and sandeep as you suggested -> enable client integration is checked as well

The error is Error : The folder 'http://remote.companyname.com:987/default.aspx' isn't accessible. The folder may be located in an unavailable location, protected with a password, or the filename contains a / or \.

Sandeep April 15, 2009 at 7:30 PM  

try with http://remote.companyname.com:987 only and also u can try with the machine name ?
http://servername:987

i am assuming you are able to access it using browser

Anonymous,  April 15, 2009 at 8:34 PM  

You bet it worked.....just mentioned the web address and the port number (removed the default.aspx part)...........once you are inside, it shows various folders and you can browse for the page in there

Thanks !

Sandeep April 15, 2009 at 8:38 PM  

Check the point 4 .. that explain the same

Anonymous,  April 28, 2009 at 11:12 AM  

Thanks so much. I have been trying to add a webpart zone to an anyomous site that has windows authentication for days. I could not edit it in SPD. Tried turning off annoymous access, but to no avail. Once I turned client integration back to yes I was able to edit the site. I had this feature disabled because user were getting prompted by office in this anonymous site. Turning off client integration was the only way to prevent office from authenticating.

Eagles May 6, 2009 at 7:57 AM  

How to open a Sharepoint site using form based authentication in SharePoint Designer 2007??? Please help

Sandeep May 6, 2009 at 8:04 AM  

You can extend the web application on another port and can access it from that port.. i.e assume http://localhost:100 is forms , then extend it on 101 and access http://localhost:101 from SPD.. another option can be.. go to Application Management > Authentication Provider > Select ur Web Application > Click on default zone > enable client integration temporarily. now u shud be able to use SPD

Eagles May 6, 2009 at 11:05 AM  

Already enabled the Client integration option.. but no luck.. Will try the 1st option...

Gautam,  June 3, 2009 at 10:43 AM  

Thanks.Great Post.It was very helpful.Finally,I am able to open my FBA configured site in SharePoint Designer 2007 after extending it to a new port.Now,I have to customize the site in SPD for corporate branding.Please tell me that after completing my project, for deployment purpose,can I again configure this site to use FBA and How?
Thanks in advance.

Paul,  November 4, 2009 at 8:42 AM  

Great!!!. You saved my day.
Enabling Client Integration worked

Anonymous,  November 10, 2010 at 10:43 AM  

Error went away by using the machine name. Thanks!