Avamar: Administrator Fails to Launch with "Failed to create sub-process" Error

Summary: This article addresses the "Failed to create subprocess" error that occurs when opening the Avamar Administrator user interface on a Windows machine.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Symptoms

Avamar Administrator has been installed on Windows Machine, however, the program cannot be started. Error message "Failed to create subprocess."

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Cause

These are the following possible reasons:

1. Java Runtime Environment (JRE) or Java Development Kit (JDK) is not installed or it has been uninstalled.
2. JRE or JDK is upgraded and the installation folder has been changed.
3. NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation is configured incorrectly in the Windows registry.
4. Avamar user interface icon has a shortcut parameter that is incorrect.



Resolution

By default, Avamar Administrator uses an embedded Java Runtime Environment (JRE). The bundled JRE version is 8u202.

Additionally, installing JRE 8u481 or later may result in the issue described in article Avamar: Unable to Launch Avamar Administrator JNLP with Java 1.8.0_481.

Updating the Avamar Administrator Shortcut to Use Alternative JRE Path

To configure Avamar Administrator to use a different JRE version:

  1. Right-click the Avamar Administrator shortcut on the desktop and select Properties (or press Alt + Enter).
  2. In the Shortcut tab, locate the Target field.
  3. Replace the existing JRE path with the desired Java installation path.

Example for Avamar Administrator 19.12 using JRE 1.8.0_471:

Original target:

C:\avs\administrator\19.12.0.186\bin\mcgui.bat C:\avs\ADMINI~1\19120~1.186\lib\jre

Updated target:

C:\avs\administrator\19.12.0.186\bin\mcgui.bat C:\PROGRA~1\Java\jre1.8.0_471
  1. Click Apply.
  2. Click OK.
  3. Launch Avamar Administrator and log in.
  4. Navigate to Help > About Avamar Administrator.
  5. Verify that the JRE version displayed matches the version specified in the shortcut.

Notes

  • PROGRA~1 = Program Files
  • PROGRA~2 = Program Files (x86)

Additional Information


Affected Products

Avamar
Article Properties
Article Number: 000169735
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 12 aug 2026
Version:  5
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