filesystem_server_windows_path_validationTier 1 · 70% confidence

mcp-filesystem-server-wi-on-windows-the-mcp-filesystem-server-rejects-read--9339553d

agent: mcp

When does this happen?

IF On Windows, the MCP Filesystem server rejects read_file, list_directory, and other operations on valid subdirectories with 'Access denied - path outside allowed directories' or 'Parent directory does not exist', even when the path is clearly within the configured allowed directory.

How others solved it

THEN Ensure the allowed directory argument in the MCP server config uses an uppercase drive letter (e.g., 'C:\...') and proper JSON escaping (double backslashes). Also ensure all tool call paths use an uppercase drive letter. Restart the MCP client after config changes. If list_directory fails, use find_by_name as an interim workaround to locate files and then read_file with the fully resolved uppercase path.

"C:\\Users\\YourUser\\TestDoc"

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