UNC Path not opening in explorer (Windows 2003 server)

Go to a command prompt and type PATH.

Paste the results here for us.

Also check the RSOP. Greyed out usually means a policy to prevent.

Hi, PATH result below:

Microsoft Windows [Version 5.2.3790]
(C) Copyright 1985-2003 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Program Files\Windows Resource Kits\Tools>PATH
PATH=C:\Program Files\Windows Resource Kits\Tools\;C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOW
S;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem;C:\Program Files\Citrix\System32\Citrix\IMA;C:\Progra
m Files\Citrix\System32\Citrix\IMA\Subsystems;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Citrix\IMA;C:\
Program Files\Citrix\system32;C:\Program Files\Common Files\Citrix\System32\;C:\
Program Files\Common Files\Citrix\System32;C:\Program Files\Windows Imaging\;C:\
Program Files\Microsoft Application Virtualization Client

C:\Program Files\Windows Resource Kits\Tools>

Thanks

Your path appears correct.  What are the results of your RSoP, as ChiefIT suggested?

Here is the policy section of the RSOP

RSOP.txt

Policies look OK, but I am curious about the script error.  Do you have login scripts running against this machine?  Also, is this one machine or all machines on your domain or in an OU?

I don't think it is group policy related as all other servers in the OU are fine. Is there a reg setting to associate UNC paths from the run command to open in Explorer by default?

So, these files will not open in explorer, like you ask.

.PDF files will open with adobe
.Doc and DOCX will open with word
.xls and .xlsx will open with excell.

File types can be found under:
Right click "My computer">>Select Explore>>Select "View" menu>> and choose "folder options">>click on the file types tab.

Since you are unable to select different programs to open a file, you might check out what MSDN says about this.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc144148(VS.85).aspx

The shell extensions should go with the correct program shell. So, explorer is not a good option to open up any file types except Internet Explorer to a Web page.

Now, if you want to make Internet Explorer as your default browser, let us know.

Chief,

I think the issue is that when a UNC path (\\servername\sharename), it will not open the Windows Explorer and browse to that location.  

RTSL,

Please correct if my above statement to ChiefIT is not correct.  Explorer.exe should be the default app for UNC path type run command, and I am honestly not sure where in the registry that might be found.  I will do some digging, but I am not optimistic about results.  If you open the Windows Explorer from an icon (My Computer, for example), can you then type a UNC path and browse to the desired location?

Justin

can you then type a UNC path and browse to the desired location?

Answer: Yes I can type the UNC path into Windows Explorer and it goes the location successfully.

The issue is as DrUltima says, If I open the 'Run' box (Start>>Run) then type in the UNC path eg \\server\share, instead of Windows Explorer opening at that location I get the 'Open With' window. It is as if Windows doesn't associate any application when trying to access UNC paths from the Run box.

In your server, if you Click, from an Explorer Window:

Tools --> Folder Options --> File Types

Toward the top of the list are (NONE) under "Extensions".  You should have two entries (among others) which are labeled (NONE) File Folder and (NONE) Folder.  If you click "Advanced" for File Folder, the only action should be Find.  If you click "Advanced" for Folder, you should have two actions: explore and open, in that order.

Is this what you are seeing?

Justin

Thanks for your help guys. DrUltima, I have decided to rebuild the server. Thanks again.