How to Fix ERROR_OBJECT_NAME_EXISTS in Windows

The ERROR_OBJECT_NAME_EXISTS (698 / 0x2BA) occurs when a process attempts to create an object (like a file, folder, or system resource) that already exists. This error is common in file management, system services, and application installations.

How do I fix ERROR_OBJECT_NAME_EXISTS?

1. Check if the object already exists

For files & folders:

1. Open File Explorer (Win + E).
2. Navigate to the directory where you’re trying to create the object.
3. Look for a file or folder with the same name.
4. If it exists, rename or delete it and retry the operation.

For Registry entries:

NOTE

Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system issues. Create a backup before making changes.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the relevant registry path.
3. If an entry with the same name exists, delete or modify it carefully.

If you are trying to create a file, folder, or registry entry, check if it’s already present.

2. Run the application or command as administrator

1. Right-click the application or command you’re using.
2. Select Run as administrator.
3. Check if the issue persists.

Lack of permissions may cause Windows to incorrectly report the object as existing.

3. Check for stuck or ghost processes

Using Task Manager:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Look for processes related to the program you are running.
3. Select them and click End Task.
4. Retry the operation.

Using Command Prompt:

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin) (Win + X > Command Prompt (Admin)).
2. Type: tasklist | findstr "YourProgramName"
3. If the process is listed, type: taskkill /F /IM YourProgram.exe
4. Retry your operation.

If a process is using the object name in memory, you may need to close it.

4. Clear the temporary files and cache

1. Press Win + R, type %temp%, and press Enter.
2. Select all files and delete them.
3. Empty the Recycle Bin and restart your PC.

5. Perform SFC & DISM scans

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Run: sfc /scannow
3. Wait for the scan to complete. If issues are found, restart your PC.
4. If the error persists, run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
5. Restart your PC and try again.

6. Create the object with a different name

If a file, folder, or registry key already exists, try using a slightly different name.
For example:

• Instead of NewFile.txt, use NewFile_01.txt.
• Instead of MyKey, use MyKey_New.

If renaming works, it confirms the name conflict was the issue.

The ERROR_OBJECT_NAME_EXISTS (698 / 0x2BA) is usually caused by duplicate object names, permission issues, or software conflicts. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve it efficiently.

Before leaving, don’t miss our latest guide on ERROR_ORPHAN_NAME_EXHAUSTED for more information.