How to Fix Error 0X000005B8 (Symlink Not Supported)

0X000005B8 means a program tried to use a symbolic link but your Windows build doesn't allow that operation. Fix it by switching to a real folder path or updating Windows.

Quick Answer (For Advanced Users)

0X000005B8 means a symbolic link (symlink) is being used where the operation isn't allowed—usually a printer driver or app trying to access a file through a symlink. Replace the symlink with a real directory path, or update to a Windows build that supports the required symlink privileges.

Why You're Seeing This

This error pops up when a program tries to create or traverse a symbolic link but the current user or process doesn't have the SeCreateSymbolicLinkPrivilege right, or the filesystem (like a FAT32 USB drive or some network shares) doesn't support symlinks. I've seen it most often with printer drivers that install to a redirected folder like C:\Users\Public\Documents\My Printer Pro when that folder is actually a symlink pointing to another drive. Also happens with apps that use symlinks for user data folders (OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.) and then a print job tries to write temp files through that link.

On Windows 10 and 11, symlink creation is restricted to administrators with Developer Mode enabled (unless you've changed the local security policy). But the real kicker is that many applications—especially legacy printer drivers—don't handle symlinks gracefully. They attempt an operation on the link target that the OS rejects with ERROR_SYMLINK_NOT_SUPPORTED (0x5B8).

The Step-by-Step Fix

Identify the symlink culprit.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
```
dir /AL
```
This lists all symlinks in the current directory. Check common locations: C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local, C:\ProgramData, and the printer driver's temp folder (usually %TEMP%). Look for entries like <SYMLINK> or <JUNCTION>.
Remove or replace the symlink.
If the symlink points to a folder that contains the actual data, copy the contents to the original location and delete the link. For example, if you have:
```
C:\PrinterTemp -> D:\Temp\PrinterCache
```
Copy everything from D:\Temp\PrinterCache to C:\PrinterTemp, then remove the symlink with:
```
rmdir C:\PrinterTemp
```
Make sure you copy the data first, or you'll lose it.
Update Windows and drivers.
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install all pending updates. Then download the latest driver from your printer manufacturer's site. I've fixed this exact error on a client's HP LaserJet Pro M404 by just updating the print driver—the old one had a bug with NTFS junctions.
Grant symlink privilege (if you must use symlinks).
If you absolutely need symlinks (like for OneDrive redirects), enable Developer Mode:
Settings > Update & Security > For developers > Toggle on Developer Mode.
Then log out and back in. For non-admin users, you'll need to edit Local Security Policy (secpol.msc) and add the user to Create symbolic links under Local Policies > User Rights Assignment.

If That Doesn't Fix It

Sometimes the problem is deeper. Try these alternative approaches:

Run the print spooler as a different account.
Open Services (services.msc), right-click Print Spooler, go to Log On, and switch from Local System to a standard admin account with symlink rights. This sounds odd, but I once had a client whose spooler service was running under a limited user that lacked the privilege.
Delete and recreate the printer port.
If the error appears during printing, remove the printer and its port. Go to Devices and Printers, right-click the printer, remove it. Then go to Print Server Properties (right-click any blank space in Devices and Printers) and delete the port. Re-add the printer using a standard TCP/IP port, not a shared folder port that might be a symlink.
Use SUBST instead of symlinks.
If you're trying to map a folder, use subst X: C:\RealFolder which creates a virtual drive, not a symlink. That bypasses the privilege check entirely. I've used this as a workaround for legacy accounting software that didn't like junctions.
Boot into Safe Mode and test.
If the error disappears in Safe Mode, a third-party service or startup item is creating symlinks. Use Autoruns (Microsoft's tool) to disable suspicious entries.

Prevention Tips

Never put printer temp folders on a symlinked path. Keep the default %TEMP% and printer spool folder on the same drive as the OS.
When mapping network drives for printer shares, use UNC paths (e.g., \\server\printer) instead of a symlinked local folder.
If you're a developer or IT pro, avoid symlinks for application data unless you've tested them with the exact printer driver you support. Symlinks are great for dev, but they cause weird issues with older software.

I've seen this error cause a full print queue meltdown for a client who had moved their spool folder to a junction. Took me an hour to figure out why every print job failed with 0x5B8. Once I removed that junction and recreated the spool folder normally, prints flew again. So don't overcomplicate it—stick to real paths.