Cmd.exe Shortcut Does Not Have Same "Run as" Behavior as Command Line (258948)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
This article was previously published under Q258948

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Run as command from a Microsoft default shortcut whose Start in value is set to "%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%" (a common default for shortcuts created by Windows 2000), the command does not work and generates a "The directory name is invalid" error message. This can occur if the primary user's account has a home folder that is mapped from a server share, on which the secondary user (usually the local administrator) does not have privileges.

RESOLUTION

To work around this behavior, you can delete the path before using the Run as command by viewing the properties for the shortcut and changing the Start in path to be blank.

Also you can set both administrator passwords to be the same. Local administrators could use a different account to complete administrative tasks on their computers.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about this behavior, see Windows 2000 Help: Click Start, click Help, click the Search tab, type runas, click List Topics, and then double-click the Use Run as to start a program as an administrator topic.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/23/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbfix kbprb kbWin2000PreSP2Fix KB258948
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