No Long File Names on the Start Menu After Windows 98 Uninstall (190418)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q190418

SYMPTOMS

After you uninstall Windows 98, the long file names on the Start menu may be replaced with MS-DOS-compatible (short) file names in 8.3 format. For example, the Accessories folder on the Start menu may be displayed as Access~1.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the Windows 98 uninstall procedure did not finish successfully.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the Sulfnbk.exe utility to restore your long file names. To do so, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.
  2. In the Named box, type winlfn.ini, and then click Find Now.
  3. Note the location of the Winlfn.ini file. By default, the Winlfn.ini file is located in the root folder of drive C.
  4. Click Start, and then click Run.
  5. In the Open box, type win.ini, and then press ENTER.
  6. Click once in the space to the right of the [windows] section header, and then press ENTER.
  7. Type the following line, and then press ENTER:

    run_restore_lfn=
  8. Type the following line, and then press ENTER

    uninstallpath=<path>

    where <path> is the path to the folder in which the Winlfn.ini file is located.
  9. On the File menu, click Save. On the File menu, click Exit.
  10. Click Start, click Run, type sulfnbk in the Open box, and then press ENTER.
Note that if the Winlfn.ini file does not exist on your computer, you can rebuild the Start Menu manually. For information about how to modify the Start Menu, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

ARTICLE-ID: 152122
TITLE : How to Customize the Start or Programs Menu

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about the Sulfnbk.exe utility, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

301316 Description of Sulfnbk.exe and How to Replace the Program File

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/16/2004
Keywords:kbenv kbprb kbsetup KB190418
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.