MS-DOS CHKDSK Program Not Designed to Work with Windows (32443)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.0
  • Microsoft Windows 3.0a
  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.1
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.2
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.21
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.3
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.3a
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 4.0
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 4.01
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 5.0
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 5.0a
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.0
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.2
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.21
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.22
This article was previously published under Q32443

SUMMARY

Microsoft recommends that you do not use the MS-DOS CHKDSK utility from Microsoft Windows.

If you choose to run CHKDSK from Microsoft Windows, do not use the /F parameter. CHKDSK was not designed to run with Windows, and the /F parameter closes any files your Windows applications are using (such as temporary files).

MORE INFORMATION

In MS-DOS version 5.0 and later, attempting to use CHKDSK with the /F parameter results in the message:
CHKDSK /F cannot be done in a Windows/DosShell command prompt
To check the amount of memory or disk space available when you are in Windows, choose the About MS-DOS Executive command from the File menu in the MS-DOS Executive window.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/7/2005
Keywords:KB32443
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