"Could not open this link" error when you try to open a UNC link with server name only in Skype for Business 2016

Symptoms

Assume that you receive an instant message (IM) in Microsoft Skype for Business 2016, and the IM contains a UNC link that contains only the server name (\\MachineName) or starts with file://. When you click the link, you can't open it, and you receive the following error message:

However, if the UNC link contains the server name and the share name, you can open it without any errors. 

Resolution

To fix this issue, install the December 6, 2016, update (KB3127980) for Skype for Business 2016.