Could not access to Network Location after Windows 8.1 Update

[DayRider]

I updated Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 on Fusion 5 Professional under OS X 10.8.5. All the way quite smooth. However, after I restarted Windows 8.1, the Adobe Reader Updater popped that

"Error 1606. Could not access to Network Location \\vmware-hostShared Folders\Documents\."

What steps shall I take to fix it?

[avanish321]

Looks like the registry may have to be altered. Before we go down that path, try this

1) Go to Virtual Machine menu > Settings > Sharing

2) Turn off  ( clear check box ) all mirrored folders . If they are already turned off disable Shared folders.

3) Windows may automatically log off.  Log back into your account

4) Now go to Virtual Machine menu  > settings > sharing : enable shared folders and turn on mirrored folders

5) Windows may log off. Log back again . Now check if you still getting the error message.

[noogle]

I resolved this by completely uninstalling VMWare Tools, rebooting, re-installing VMWare Tools, and rebooting again.

[DayRider]

I tried your method. It's partially working.  It allowed me to install Adobe Reader but still unable to access the vmware-host folders.

[DayRider]

Hi noodle,

I want to try your method.  But I don't know how to uninstall VMWare Tools.  Please provide more details.

(I guess I need to delete all snapshots.  It takes a long time....) So, I comeback tomorrow and see if you've given me further details. 

Thanks ahead.

[noogle]

Hi - from within your VM session click the Virtual Machine menu, then 'Reinstall VMWare Tools'. Once the 'CD' has been mounted you can then run the installer. At the first option screen choose to uninstall (rather then repair or modify). After uninstallation and a reboot go back to the Virtual Machine menu and choose 'Install VMWare Tools' (wording may not be exact). At the options screen select a 'typical' installation and then reboot once the installer has completed.

- Jon.

[DayRider]

I referred to Uninstall VMWare Tools and uninstalled VMWare from the WIndows 8.1 Control Panel within the VM. After that I restarted Windows 8.1 VM.

Then I tried reinstalling the VMWare Tools from the Virtual Machine manu.  But then it continued displaying "Cancel VMWare Installation".

I waited for an hour but no progress at all.

I repeated the process and the same problem repeated. 

Now, I have 1)  no VMWare Tools, 2) no access to VMWare-host/Shared Folders and 3) unable to map a drive (i.e. X:) to the Shared Folders. Situation has got worse.

What can I do?

[DayRider]

I retried again.  It works only after I restarted Mac OS X.

Thanks guys.:-D

[AnoopVmx]

HI Dayrider

Please try the steps below.

• Open the Registry Editor:
  
  • Windows XP: Go to Start > Run, type regedit, and click OK.
  • Windows Vista/7: Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > Run, type regedit, and click OK.
  • Window 8: Keep the Windows Key pressed on the keyboard and then press R key to open Run prompt. Type regedit, and click OK
    
    

• Navigate to these two locations:
  
  
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders



• Make sure that you see these values (among others). Update these entries, if they have a different data value:
  
  Windows XP / Server 2003
  

  Name	Data value
  Desktop	%USERPROFILE%\Desktop
  My Music	%USERPROFILE%\My Documents\My Music
  My Pictures	%USERPROFILE%\My Documents\My Pictures
  Personal	%USERPROFILE%\My Documents

  
  
  Windows Vista / 7 / Server 2008 / 8
  

  Name	Data value
  Desktop	%USERPROFILE%\Desktop
  My Music	%USERPROFILE%\Music
  My Pictures	%USERPROFILE%\Pictures
  Personal	%USERPROFILE%\Documents

Reference --> knowledge base vmware

VMware KB: Installing VMware Workstation or VMware Tools fails with the error: 1327 or 1606

[tonykaus]

Thanks noogle. This worked for me on Fusion 6 Pro and Win8.1. I had tried a reinstall/repair which didn't help, neither did just unsharing and resharing. It appears you have to completely uninstall and reinstall, after which all things seem to be back to normal.

[daisydev]

The Remove, Reboot, Install VMWare tools procedure worked for me.

Thanks

[wila]

Hi Noogle,

Another confirmation that a complete reload of vmware tools worked to restore vmware host network sharing (HGFS) after the windows 8.1 update on Windows 8 x64.

As tonykaus I also tried the reinstall option first, without it fixing anything.

The complete uninstall / reboot / reinstall tools sequence however worked perfect.

--

Wil

[Loetscher]

The remove, reboot, install VMWare tools procedure worked also for me.

Just repairing the VMWare tools didn't work.

Thanks also!

[vandaveer]

Uninstalling VMWare Tools and reinstalling (as noodle posted) was the only method that worked for me.

[ibeck]

Uninstalling (and Reinstalling) VMWare Tools worked perfectly for me.  All my shared folders and drive mappings worked just like before I upgraded to Fusion 6 and Win 8.1