You receive the "Out of environment space" error message when you execute the Vcvars32.bat batch file (248802)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition 5.0
  • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition 6.0
  • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition 5.0
  • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition 6.0
  • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Learning Edition 6.0
  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
This article was previously published under Q248802

SYMPTOMS

Executing the Vcvars32.bat batch file from the MS-DOS prompt on Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Millennium Edition (Me) systems generates the following messages:
Setting environment for using Microsoft Visual C++ tools.
Out of environment space
Out of environment space
Out of environment space

CAUSE

The error can occur when you do not have enough memory in the MS-DOS environment to set an environment variable.

RESOLUTION

For more information about increasing the environment memory for MS-DOS programs, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

230205 Out of environment space error message in MS-DOS programs

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Vcvars32.bat is a batch file containing statements that set the environment variables necessary to run Visual C++ tools such as Cl.exe from the MS-DOS prompt. It is created during the Visual C++ setup.

Use the following steps to run this batch file for every MS-DOS session:
  1. Locate the Command.com program in WINDOWS directory using Windows Explorer.
  2. Right-click the program and select Properties.
  3. Select the Program tab in the Properties window
  4. Type the full path to the Vcvar32.bat file in the "Batch file" edit window.

REFERENCES

For more information, see the following in the MSDN Library:

Visual Studio 6.0 Documentation; Visual C++ Documentation; Using Visual C++; Visual C++ Programmer's Guide; Compiling and Linking; How Do I...; Set Environment Variables

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/3/2005
Keywords:kbtshoot kbDevStudio kbprb KB248802 kbAudDeveloper
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