Fix Invalid Shared Folder Location Error in Acrobat with Apache 2.4
Question details
Users encounter an 'Invalid Shared Folder Location' error when trying to configure a shared review connection between Adobe Acrobat and an Apache server.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat, Apache HTTP Server
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Configuring a shared review connection after upgrading the Apache HTTP Server from version 2.2 to 2.4.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat displays the error message 'The Shared Folder Location Provided Is Not Valid' and fails to connect to the shared folder.
Ensure you have administrator access to the Apache server and a text editor to modify the httpd.conf configuration file.
Update Apache 2.4 Configuration Directives
Modify your Apache configuration file to match the new syntax required by Apache 2.4 for Acrobat's WebDAV access.
Upgrading from Apache 2.2 to 2.4 introduces changes to authorization and access control directives. Old syntax like 'Order allow,deny' will fail in Apache 2.4 unless compatibility modules are loaded. Updating these directives allows Acrobat to successfully validate the shared folder path.
Locate and open your httpd.conf or equivalent Apache configuration file using a text editor with administrative privileges.
Search for the <Directory> block that corresponds to the path you are using for Acrobat shared reviews.
Replace Apache 2.2 access control syntax (such as 'Order allow,deny' and 'Allow from all') with the Apache 2.4 equivalent, which is 'Require all granted'.
Ensure that the WebDAV modules (mod_dav and mod_dav_fs) are enabled and that 'Dav On' is specified in your directory block.
Save the configuration file and restart your Apache HTTP Server to apply the changes.
Open Adobe Acrobat and attempt to configure the shared review connection again.
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- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document you want to share for review.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Apache 2.4 break my Acrobat shared review?
Apache 2.4 introduced major changes to its authorization modules and syntax (such as requiring 'Require all granted' instead of 'Allow from all'). Without these updates in your httpd.conf file, Acrobat receives an access denied or invalid response when checking the folder.
Where can I find the Apache error logs to troubleshoot this?
The Apache error logs are typically located in the 'logs' folder of your Apache installation directory (e.g., /var/log/apache2/error.log on Linux or within the Apache folder on Windows). Checking these logs will show exact 403 Forbidden or 404 Not Found errors during Acrobat's connection attempt.
Do I need special modules enabled in Apache for Acrobat reviews?
Yes, Adobe Acrobat relies on WebDAV to manage shared reviews on an Apache server. You must ensure that 'mod_dav' and 'mod_dav_fs' are uncommented and enabled in your server configuration.
