Microsoft KB Archive/241712

= Cannot Start 16-Bit Program with Path Name of More Than 64 Characters =

Article ID: 241712

Article Last Modified on 3/1/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition

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This article was previously published under Q241712





SYMPTOMS
When you attempt to start a 16-bit program from a folder that has a full path name with more than than 64 characters, the following error message appears:

\ .exe

The parameter is incorrect.

If you attempt to run the same program from a command prompt, the error message is:

The system cannot execute the specified program.

If you attempt to start the program by using the Microsoft Windows 3.x File Manager tool (Winfile.exe), the following error message appears:

You do not have permission to access this file.

If you attempt to start the program from a command prompt in Windows NT 3.51, the error message is:

The system cannot execute the specified program.

Using File Manager (Winfile) in Windows NT 3.51, the error message is:

Not enough memory to start the specified application. Quit one or more applications, and then try again.

In Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4, using Windows Explorer generates the following error message:

\ .exe

The parameter is incorrect.

When you attempt to start the 16-bit program from Winfile, the message is:

You do not have permission to access this file.

If you attempt to start the program from a command prompt:

The system cannot execute the specified program.

When you use Windows Explorer in Windows 2000, the error message is:

\ .exe

The parameter is incorrect.

When you attempt to start the program from a command prompt in Windows 2000, the error message is:

The system cannot execute the specified program.



CAUSE
This restriction is enforced in the emulation layer and matches the MS-DOS restriction for 16-bit programs.



STATUS
This behavior is by design.

Keywords: kbenv kberrmsg kbprb KB241712

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