How to fix WebDAV problems with Vista and XP SP2 client

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On Windows Vista and Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) or a later version of Windows XP Micrsoft has by default disabled Basic authentication in the Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) Redirector.

Both Explorer View Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer and the Windows shell commands using the WebDAV redirector will fail if the server is configured to use Basic authentication.

  • If you try to open a WebDAV folder from Internet Explorer you will get the following error:
Internet Explorer could not open <WebDAV share> as a web Folder.  Would you like to see its default view instead?

WebDAV folder from Internet Explorer.png

  • If you try to open a WebDAV folder from Windows Explorer (Tools - Map Network Drive) you will get the following error:
Windows cannot access <WebDAV share>
Check the spelling of the name. Otherwise, there might be a problem with your network.
To try to identify and resolve network problems, click Diagnose.
Details: Error code: 0x80070043
The network name cannot be found.

WebDAV folder from Windows Explorer.png

  • If you try to open a WebDAV folder with commandline NET USE drive: <WebDAV share>
System error 67 has occurred.
The network name cannot be found.

or 

System error 5 has occurred.
Access is denied.

To reenable WebDAV on Vista or Vista x64 client

Open registry editor and go to the following key: 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WebClient\Parameters

If a DWORD Value named BasicAuthLevel exists change its value to 2. If it is not found add a new DWORD Value named BasicAuthLevel and give it the value 2.

Possible values for BasicAuthLevel are:

  • 0 - Basic authentication disabled
  • 1 - Basic authentication enabled for SSL shares only (default value)
  • 2 or greater - Basic authentication enabled for SSL shares and for non-SSL shares

Another option would be to make server run SSL. It would work with Vista but not XP SP2.

To reenable WebDAV on XP SP2 client

Open registry editor and go to the following key: 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WebClient\Parameters

Add a new DWORD Value named UseBasicAuth and give it the value 1.


More information: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/841215

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