Microsoft KB Archive/96271

= Chaining Parent PSP Environment Variables =

Article ID: 96271

Article Last Modified on 10/31/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition

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This article was previously published under Q96271



SUMMARY
Some MS-DOS-based applications change the environment variables of their parent applications by chaining through the program segment prefix (PSP). This functionality is not provided under Windows NT if the parent is a 32-bit application.

When an MS-DOS-based application starts from a single command shell (SCS), it inherits a new copy of environment variables. Any attempts by the application to modify its parent's environment variables are unsuccessful. When the application closes, the SCS is restored to its original state. If another MS-DOS-based application starts, none of the changes the first application made exist.

However, if the parent is another MS-DOS-based application, environment variables can be modified by the child application and used by the parent.

Additional query words: prodnt

Keywords: kbenv KB96271

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