Knowledge Base

Error Message: The Username Cannot Be Found

Article ID: 193615

Article Last Modified on 1/23/2007

Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition
Microsoft Windows 95

This article was previously published under Q193615

SYMPTOMS

If you type a valid user name followed by one or more spaces in the login dialog box, you may receive the following error message:

The username cannot be found

You may expect the name you type to be accepted because it appears correct (because the spaces do not appear on the screen).

CAUSE

Windows treats any space (whether leading or trailing) as a valid character.

RESOLUTION

Avoid typing leading or trailing spaces in the User Name box on the login screen. To determine if leading or trailing spaces exist, select the name with the mouse and see if the spaces are highlighted.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

Keywords: kberrmsg kbprb KB193615