DOCUMENT:Q186613 11-DEC-2001 [winnt] TITLE :Using the Start Command with Long File Names PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:WinNT:4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== You can use the Start command at a command prompt to start applications either at the Terminal Server console or within a Terminal Server Client session. For instance, the command start "\\server\share\group contact info.xls" should open Excel and this spreadsheet, but it does not. CAUSE ===== A problem in the parser in Windows NT Server 4.0 causes this command to fail. RESOLUTION ========== To make the command work, the command line must be modified to: start \\server\share\"group contact info.xls" STATUS ====== MORE INFORMATION ================ More generally, this command will fail: start "\\LONG SERVER\LONG SHARE\LONG DIR\LONG FILE" This command will work: start \\"LONG SERVER"\"LONG SHARE"\"LONG DIR"\"LONG FILE" Additional query words: ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbNTTermServ400 kbNTTermServSearch Version : WinNT:4.0 Issue type : kbbug Solution Type : kbnofix ============================================================================= 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.