What does NTSTATUS 0xC0000277 (STATUS_IO_REPARSE_TAG_MISMATCH) mean?

 
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STATUS_IO_REPARSE_TAG_INVALID STATUS_IO_REPARSE_DATA_INVALID

STATUS_IO_REPARSE_TAG_MISMATCH

The target has reparse data, but not of the requested kind

STATUS_IO_REPARSE_TAG_MISMATCH means that the object's existing reparse tag and the tag expected by the current operation are different. This is more specific than “invalid tag”: the target can contain valid reparse data, but it belongs to another handler or represents another kind of reparse object.

That distinction prevents a dangerous repair pattern. Replacing or deleting existing reparse data simply because an application expected a different tag can damage a junction, cloud placeholder, filter-driver object, or other component's metadata.

How to diagnose safely

  • Read and record the existing tag before attempting any update or removal.
  • Identify which component owns the stored tag and whether the caller is authorized to modify it.
  • Confirm that the handle addresses the reparse object itself, not a path reached after traversal.
  • Use a tag-specific migration path when changing object semantics; do not overwrite opaque data with a different format.

References


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