Microsoft KB Archive/922713

= Error message when you run the ipconfig /renew command on a Windows XP-based computer or on a Windows Server 2003-based computer: &quot;The current directory is invalid&quot; =

Article ID: 922713

Article Last Modified on 7/24/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional
 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition

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SYMPTOMS
Consider the following scenario:  You log on to a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer or to a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer by using a user account that has membership to the local computer administrator group. The computer is a member of the Active Directory forest. The root directory of the user account is mapped to a network path. For example, the root directory is mapped to the following network path:

M: \\server\username$



In this scenario, when you open a Command Prompt window, &quot;M&quot; is the current directory. Additionally, when you run the ipconfig /release command followed by the ipconfig /renew command at the command prompt, you receive an error message that resembles the following:

The current directory is invalid.



CAUSE
This problem occurs because the operating system no longer has a valid network connection when you release the IP address of the computer. Therefore, the mapped drive does not exist on the local computer.



WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, change the current directory to a local directory, and then run the ipconfig /release command. For example, change the current directory to C, and then run the ipconfig /release command.



STATUS
This behavior is by design.

