Using MS-DOS Environment Variable as Command-Line Option (153163)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q153163

SYMPTOMS

When you use an MS-DOS environment variable (such as %VARIABLE%) as a command-line option when you run a program (such as Notepad), you may receive the following message: 
   Cannot find the %VARIABLE%.txt file.

   Do you want to create a new file?

CAUSE

Windows 95 interprets the environment variable as a file name because the percent (%) character is a valid character in a long file name in Windows 95.

RESOLUTION

To work around this behavior, use any of the following methods:

  • Use the following method to start the program:

    1. Click the Start button, and then click Run.
    2. Type the following command in the Open box

      command.com /c <program.exe> %<variable>%

      where <program.exe> is the program you want to run and <variable> is the environment variable you want to use.
  • Create an MS-DOS batch file that starts the program with the command- line variable set to the appropriate MS-DOS environment variable. Then, create a shortcut to the batch file and use the shortcut to start the program.
  • Start an MS-DOS session and type the command at the command prompt.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/17/2000
Keywords:KB153163
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