Overview
This error indicates that the Ensure Folder Action failed while accessing, listing, creating, or removing a folder, or while deleting a file.
Event examples
See some examples of the Ensure Folder failed Event messages:
- Task "MySync" Action "Ensure Folder" could not delete folder "N:\Logs\Sync\202611". The media is write protected. [os:19; aw:9]
- Action "Ensure Folder" could not delete file "C:\Temp\Downloads\toprint.pdf". Access is denied. [os:5; aw:8]
- Could not create folder "\\10.0.0.17\shared\files\". You can't access this shared folder because your computer is configured to require SMB signing. These policies help protect your PC from unsafe or malicious devices on the network. [os:3227320323]
- Could not delete folder "\\NAS.local\Share\Backup". Access is denied. [os:5; aw:5]
- Could not create folder "\\Storage.lan\Shared\Public". The system cannot find the path specified. [os:3; aw:2]
- Could not delete file "\\DB.local\Customers\Invoices.xlsx". The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process. [os:32; aw:8]
- Folder name has not been provided. The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect. [os:123]
Cause
Possible causes include an invalid folder name or path, insufficient permissions for the account specified in the Run As settings, or an inaccessible or read-only local or network location.
SMB signing required?
Can't access the shared folder? Recent Windows versions may require SMB signing by default. This message indicates that the device hosting the share does not support SMB signing or does not have it enabled.
The preferred solution is to enable SMB signing on the server or NAS that hosts the share. Most modern devices support it—check the SMB or file-sharing settings. This keeps the connection protected and resolves the issue for all clients that require SMB signing.
If that isn't possible, the SMB signing requirement can also be relaxed on the affected server or workstation. This is a client-side setting and reduces protection against certain network attacks, so it should only be considered on trusted networks and when other options are not available. Your IT administrator can advise whether this is appropriate for your environment.
Just ask…
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our support team.