DOCUMENT:Q96271 08-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :Chaining Parent PSP Environment Variables PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:3.1 4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbenv ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.1 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.1 - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY ======= Some MS-DOS-based applications change the environment variables of their parent applications by chaining through the program segment prefix (PSP). This functionality is not provided under Windows NT if the parent is a 32-bit application. When an MS-DOS-based application starts from a single command shell (SCS), it inherits a new copy of environment variables. Any attempts by the application to modify its parent's environment variables are unsuccessful. When the application closes, the SCS is restored to its original state. If another MS-DOS-based application starts, none of the changes the first application made exist. However, if the parent is another MS-DOS-based application, environment variables can be modified by the child application and used by the parent. Additional query words: prodnt ====================================================================== Keywords : kbenv Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW310 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS310 kbWinNTS310search kbWinNT310Search kbWinNTW310Search Version : 3.1 4.0 ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.