Using Invalid Shell in SYSTEM.INI File Causes UAE (65444)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.0
  • Microsoft Windows 3.0a
This article was previously published under Q65444

SUMMARY

You must have a valid filename for the shell you use with Microsoft Windows version 3.0 or you an Unrecoverable Application Error (UAE)is displayed when you start Windows.

A valid file name can include Windows applications only, not MS-DOS applications. All other file names are invalid to use on this line and cause Windows to generate a UAE when it starts.

MORE INFORMATION

Windows uses the shell referenced in the SYSTEM.INI file with the SHELL= line. For example, if you want to use the Windows 3.0 File Manager as the Windows shell, do the following:
  1. Use a text editor such as NOTEPAD.EXE or SYSEDIT.EXE to load the SYSTEM.INI file.
  2. Under the [Boot] section of the SYSTEM.INI, edit the SHELL= line to read SHELL=WINFILE.EXE.
Note that the filename for File Manager is WINFILE.EXE, NOT FILEMAN.EXE as is often assumed.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/7/2005
Keywords:KB65444
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