Invalid Character Error during Red Alert 3 Installation

By Drant on Monday 10 November 2008, - Technical - Permalink

Problem: Can't install EA games because of an invalid character.

Error:

The folder path 'Command _Conquer?RedAlert?3' contains an invalid character.

Cannot install to the specified path. Either you have specified an invalid or non-existent drive, or a directory name within the given path contains one or more of the following characters:
/ : * ? " < > | ;

Cause: ~~Careless EA developers~~ AppLocale conflict with the Microsoft Installer (MSI).
Solution: Uninstall AppLocale by going to the Control Panel, open the Add or Remove Programs wizard, and scroll to Microsoft AppLocale and choose Remove. If you do not want to uninstall AppLocale, follow the instructions below.

Step 1: Download Unlocker (This is a very useful program for when you can't delete/move/rename a file because it's being used by another process. Unlocker will sever the link between the target file or folder from the process that's using it.)

Step 2: After thoroughly installing Unlocker, go to C:\WINDOWS and right click on the folder AppPatch, choose Unlocker from the context menu. Unlocker will then show a list of processes using AppLocale, click the button Unlock All.

Step 3: Install the EA game as usual. If the error shows up again, unlock the AppPatch folder again.

Unlock AppLocale for Red Alert 3 Installation

Command & Conquer(tm) Red Alert(tm) 3 Setup Wizard ended prematurely because of an error. Your system has not been modified. To install this program at a later time, run Setup Wizard again.

Note: If the EA installer immediately gives the error when it starts then follow these instructions:
Step 1: Start -> Run -> type in regedit
Step 2: Registry Editor should be opened, go to the folder tree:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\Electronic Arts
and delete the folder Red Alert 3. The installer should behave like the first time it ever ran.

Sidenote: If you came to this page with the 19 characters CD key problem, go to EA's site or simply guess the 20th alphanumeric digit yourself.

Program Mirrors: AppLocale, Unlocker
Keywords: C&C, C&C3, C&C4, Tiberium Wars, Tiberian Twilight, NFS, Need for Speed, Spore, SimCity, Sims, download apploc.msi, 19 char, registration, serial, The folder path 'Command _Conquer?Red Alert?3 Uprising' contains an invalid character

Comments

1. On Monday 19 January 2009, by ngz

I actually had the exact same issue when trying to install Mirror's Edge!

And to further embarass EA, the same issue trying to UNINSTALL NFSU.

Sometimes I wonder why I even bother buying games anymore lol.

2. On Sunday 29 March 2009, by n00bz4i

What if I want to uninstall Red Alert 3?I'm having trouble,please help

Start -> Run -> Enter in: appwiz.cpl
Find Red Alert 3 from the list and click 'Change/Remove'
If you do not see it from the list or it won't uninstall, go to C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\ (this is the default RA3 directory) and delete the 'Red Alert 3' folder altogether.

Other places where RA3 files are installed:
C:\Documents and Settings\YOURUSERNAME\Application Data\[Red Alert 3 folder]

Shortcut: %APPDATA%

C:\Documents and Settings\YOURUSERNAME\My Documents\[Red Alert 3 folder]

Shortcut: %USERPROFILE%\My Documents

Delete those folders.

Also delete the registry keys as described in the instructions.

My answers are only as specific as the amount of information in your question.

3. On Thursday 15 April 2010, by DarkPR

Thanks !!!

AppLocale was the issue for me, I had a very similar issue with Command and Conquer 4.

Uninstalled AppLocale and it worked!

4. On Monday 28 January 2013, by Pleasehelp

I'm having the same problem with DayZ commander, when i try to install, change, repair, or remove the program. It says it's a program on my program list, but when I search my computer for it it turns up empty. I can't do anything to it because my computer thinks it's there but can't find it, and there is no Microsoft AppLocale on my programs list. If anyone knows how to fix this please tell me, thank god it's not urgent.

Renaka