Microsoft KB Archive/907753

= Error message when you try to set the image property of a control in Design view in Visual Studio: &quot;Empty path is not legal&quot; =

Article ID: 907753

Article Last Modified on 11/22/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition
 * Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Express Edition
 * Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Professional Edition
 * Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Enterprise Architect
 * Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Enterprise Developer
 * Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Academic Edition
 * Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2002 Professional Edition
 * Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2002 Enterprise Architect
 * Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2002 Enterprise Developer
 * Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2002 Academic Edition

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SYMPTOMS
When you try to set the image property of a control in Design view in Microsoft Visual Studio .NET or in Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, you may receive the following error message:

Empty path is not legal



CAUSE
This problem occurs when the Stardock Enhanced Dialog application is installed on your computer.

Note The Enhanced Dialog application extends the basic functionality of the OpenFileDialog control.

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, uninstall the Enhanced Dialog application.



Steps to reproduce the problem

 * 1) On a computer that has the Enhanced Dialog application installed, create a new Microsoft Visual Basic Windows application in Visual Studio.
 * 2) In the Properties pane, click the ellipsis button ( ... ) next to the value for the BackgroundImage property of Form1.

You receive the error message that is mentioned in the &quot;Symptoms&quot; section.

