Microsoft KB Archive/246554

= Error E2BIG or 'Argument List Too Long' Message When Command Includes Wildcard Characters =

Article ID: 246554

Article Last Modified on 10/30/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Interix 2.2 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Interix 2.2 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Interix 2.2 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Interix 2.2 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q246554



SYMPTOMS
When you use wildcard characters in a command, you may receive one or both of the following error messages:

E2BIG

or

Argument list too long



CAUSE
This behavior occurs because of the value that the variable ARG_MAX possesses. ARG_MAX is defined in the exec family of functions. ARG_MAX indicates the maximum number of characters in a command that the exec functions can manage.



MORE INFORMATION
This error is specifically related to a shell limit on the maximum command-line length that can be managed internally. There is no mechanism to increase this shell limit.

Keywords: kbprb KB246554

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