Microsoft KB Archive/66391

INF: Why WinExec Returns Error Code 8: Insufficient Memory ID Number: Q66391

3.00 WINDOWS docerr

Summary:

When the value 8 is returned from the WinExec function, it indicates “insufficient memory to start application.” This is the same condition indicated by the value 8 returned from MS-DOS Interrupt 21h Function 4Bh. This return value is not listed on page 4-459 of the “Windows Software Development Kit Reference Volume 1,” version 3.0.

The WinExec function is used to start a Windows or non-Windows application from inside a Windows application. If the value returned from WinExec is greater than 32, the application has been started successfully; otherwise, the value returned is an error code.