Find File Search Contains Too Many Subdirectories

ID: Q120832

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Office for Windows, versions 4.2, 4.3

SYMPTOMS

When you use Find File to search for files in Microsoft Office, you may receive the following error message:

   The path you specified contains too many subdirectories. Delete one
   or more directories or clear the Include Subdirectories check box.

This error is displayed if the search process scans more than 200 subdirectories or a path of subdirectories is 15 levels deep.

When you receive the error message, you will be unable to search any more subdirectories for files: the list of found files will only contain files from those directories that were successfully searched.

CAUSE

This error often occurs when you search your entire hard drive for files.

WORKAROUND

If the search path you specify is too large, do either of the following:

Clear the Include Subdirectories check box in the Search dialog box.
-or-
Refine your search by using a more specific location (for example use "C:\OFFICE\FILES" instead of "C:\").

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in version 1.0 of Microsoft Find File which ships with version 4.2 and 4.3 of Microsoft Office. Find File has not been updated to a version that removes this limitation on the maximum number of directories that can be searched.

KBCategory: kbtool KBSubcategory:

Additional reference words: 4.20 4.30

Last Reviewed: September 16, 1996