DOCUMENT:Q241712 06-AUG-2002 [winnt] TITLE :Cannot Start 16-Bit Program with Long Path Name PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:WINDOWS:2000; winnt:3.51,4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbenv kberrmsg ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51, 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51, 4.0 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you attempt to start a 16-bit program from a folder that has a full path name with more than than 64 characters, the following error message appears: \.exe The parameter is incorrect. If you attempt to run the same program from a command prompt, the error message is: The system cannot execute the specified program. If you attempt to start the program by using the Microsoft Windows 3.x File Manager tool (Winfile.exe), the following error message appears: You do not have permission to access this file. If you attempt to start the program from a command prompt in Windows NT 3.51, the error message is: The system cannot execute the specified program. Using File Manager (Winfile) in Windows NT 3.51, the error message is: Not enough memory to start the specified application. Quit one or more applications, and then try again. In Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4, using Windows Explorer generates the following error message: \.exe The parameter is incorrect. When you attempt to start the 16-bit program from Winfile, the message is: You do not have permission to access this file. If you attempt to start the program from a command prompt: The system cannot execute the specified program. When you use Windows Explorer in Windows 2000, the error message is: \.exe The parameter is incorrect. When you attempt to start the program from a command prompt in Windows 2000, the error message is: The system cannot execute the specified program. CAUSE ===== This restriction is enforced in the emulation layer and matches the MS-DOS restriction for 16-bit programs. STATUS ====== This behavior is by design. Additional query words: ====================================================================== Keywords : kbenv kberrmsg Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT351search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbwin2000AdvServ kbwin2000AdvServSearch kbwin2000Serv kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbwin2000ServSearch kbwin2000Search kbwin2000ProSearch kbwin2000Pro kbWinNTS351search kbWinAdvServSearch Version : WINDOWS:2000; winnt:3.51,4.0 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= 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 2002.