Err Msg: Missing Himem.sys. Make sure that the file is in your Windows directory and that its location is correctly specified in your CONFIG.SYS file. (116253)

SYMPTOMS

When you try to load Windows, one of the following problems may occur:

Windows stops responding (hangs) at the logo screen.
Windows reports the following error message
Missing <device name> Make sure that the file is in your Windows directory and that its location is correctly specified in your CONFIG.SYS file.
where <device name> is a device such as HIMEM.SYS.

CAUSE

These problems can occur if you have added the NOAUTO parameter to the "DOS=" statement in the CONFIG.SYS file. For example:

   DOS=HIGH,UMB,NOAUTO

This parameter can also cause your computer to hang at the first Setup reboot because IFSHLP.SYS is not loaded.

RESOLUTION

Edit the Config.sys file and remove the NOAUTO parameter from the DOS= statement.

-or-
Edit the Config.sys file and insert the required DEVICE= statements so that the necessary devices are loaded during startup. The required statements are as follows. Add these lines after the "DOS=HIGH,UMB,NoAuto" line:
Device=C:\Windows\Himem.Sys
Device=C:\Windows\iFSHLP.Sys
NOTE: If Windows is installed in a folder other than the Windows folder, adjust the two lines as necessary to list the folder in which Windows is installed.

For additional information about how to edit the Config.sys file, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

232558 How to Modify the Config.sys and Autoexec.bat Files

MORE INFORMATION

The NOAUTO parameter prevents Windows from loading devices such as HIMEM.SYS and IFSHLP.SYS automatically while booting. If you use this parameter, you must specify the devices that need to be loaded by adding them to the CONFIG.SYS file.