Resolve Windows XP Error 1606

On a Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) computer that has been upgraded from Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition or Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (ME), the following error message may be displayed when you try to install a new program:

Error 1606. Could not access network location <Common Administrative Tools>.All users\.

In addition, when you attempt to open Administrative Tools from the Control Panel, nothing may happen.

Cause of the Error

Generally, this error message is generated when the settings of the following registry entry are incorrect.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\Common Administrative Tools

This registry entry exists if, and only if, you upgrade to Windows XP from Windows 98 or Windows ME.

Resolution Method

You may use one of the following methods to resolve the error message.

Warning: Methods discussed here may ask you to make direct changes to the registry. You must be careful while performing these tasks because any incorrect edits made to the registry may cause serious problems to your computer and may even leave it unbootable. This is the reason why, it is recommended that you backup your registry before proceeding with the changes. To do this, you may use the Windows Registry Editor or a reliable third-party registry cleaner tool.

Method 1: Rectify the registry settings for Administrative Tools.

  1. On the Start menu, select Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then press Enter.
  2. In the Registry Editor windows that opens, navigate to the following registry key:

    3. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

  3. Double-click on Common Administrative Tools located in the right-pane.
  4. Type the following data in the Value data box and then click the OK button.

    5. %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools

  5. Exit the Registry Editor window and restart your PC.

Method 2: Rectify registry settings if error 1606 occurs during Norton SystemWorks installation on a Windows XP computer upgraded from Windows 98 and Windows ME.

Step 1: Change the path for common programs in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE root key

  1. Open Registry Editor (regedit).
  2. Navigate to the following registry key:

    3. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

  3. Double-click on Common Programs located in the right-pane.
  4. Delete the existing data and then type the following data in the Value data box and then click the OK button.

    5. %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs

  5. Next, double-click on Common Administrative Tools located in the right-pane.
  6. Type the following data in the Value data box and then click the OK button.

    7. %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools

  7. Use Edit > Find option to search all keys that contain the value “55EB66EFB74A75B4D9E26680831FE059” and then delete them.
  8. Exit the Registry Editor window and restart your PC.
  9. Restart the installation for Norton SystemWorks on your Windows XP computer.

Step 2: Change the path for other programs in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE root key

  1. In case the error message is displayed again, then again open the Registry Editor and navigate to the following registry key:

    2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

  2. Here, ensure that the values of all entries in the right pane start with %ALLUSERSPROFILE%. For example, there values should be:

    • %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data
    • %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Desktop
    • %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Documents
    • %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Favorites
    • %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu
    • %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
    • %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Templates
  3. Restart the installation for Norton SystemWorks on your Windows XP computer.

Step 3: Change the path for programs in the HKEY_CURRENT_MACHINE root key

  1. In case the error message is displayed again, then again open the Registry Editor and navigate to the following registry key:

    2. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

  2. Here, ensure that the values of all entries in the right pane start with %ALLUSERSPROFILE%.
  3. Restart the installation for Norton SystemWorks on your Windows XP computer.

To prevent problems due to invalid or incorrect entries in the registry, it is recommended that you regularly scan and repair your registry. You can do this easily with the help of a good and easy-to-use registry cleaner tool, such as RegServe.