Windows 10: File location starting with \\?\ instead of a letter

Hey everyone, I just came across a odd "error", I tried to open a mp4 file using vlc and I couldn't do it. Trying to solve the problem I noticed that by right clicking on the file, and then choosing properties, the mp4 file location started with a \\?\:This only happens when the folder containing the file has a name longer than 97 characters notice the "hhhhh..". If the name of the folder is shorter the location path goes back to normal D:\Videos\.... With a name longer than 97 characters, if I click on the details tab in the priorities window, the folder path is shown correctly while in

:)

 

Making HDD as default saving location instead of sdd for files

Hi Kiefer,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community.
I will surely help you to fix this issue.

I suggest you to try the following steps to change default saving locations. Check if it helps.

• 
  Click on Start and click on
  Settings.
  
• 
  Open System and click on
  Storage in the left-pane.
  
• 
  Under the section Save Locations in the
  right-pane, select the appropriate location to which you want to save files.
  
• 
  Restart the computer and check if it helps.
  

Hope this information helps. Reply to the post with an updated status of the issue so that we can assist you further.

 

Location service is greyed out

Hi Shahriar,

Thank you for responding.

Sorry for the inconvenience caused for you, I suggest you to try the below troubleshooting steps and check If it helps.

Step 1: Steps to turn on the Location settings.

• Login as an administrator.
• Press Windows key, type Location settings and select
  Change location settings.
• Check whether Location for this device is On by clicking on
  Change.
• Also turn on Location as well.

Step 2: And as you are unable to set the service Geolocation service to automatic, I suggest you to run SFC scan and check.

System File Checker is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files.

Follow the below steps:

• 
  Right click on the Start button, click on
  Command Prompt (Admin).
  
• 
  Type “sfc /scannow” without the quotes and hit
  Enter.
  
• 
  After the scan, restart the computer and check for the issue.
  

Try to set the service to automatic by following the steps provided in the above post by Praveen Venugopal.

Hope it helps. Kindly update the status of the issue, we will be happy to help you.

 

Windows 10 Start Menu Programs Incorrect Location

Hi Kat,



As you are unable to open the program from Start screen. I would suggest you to right click on it and click on
Unpin from Start. Browse to the file location, right click on it and select Pin to Start to set it properly.



To change the Start settings, follow these steps:

• Click on Search and type “Start settings” without quotes.
• Click on the Start settings (System settings).
• It will open the Personalization window with Start settings.
• From here you can make the necessary changes.

Let us know the results.