"Out of Environment Space" Running Batch File or Command Prompt (261825)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition

This article was previously published under Q261825

SYMPTOMS

When you start a batch file or use a command prompt, you may receive the following error message:
Out of environment space

CAUSE

The default space for environment variables is 256 bytes by default. More environment variables are being set than can fit in 256 bytes.

RESOLUTION

To work around this issue, use one of the following methods:

Method 1

  1. Right-click the MS-DOS Prompt shortcut, and then click Properties.
  2. Click the Memory tab.
  3. In the Initial Environment box, set the initial environment size you want (from 256 to 4,096 bytes, in 256-byte increments).
  4. Click OK.

Method 2

Edit the Autoexec.bat file to include any environment variables that you need to set, and then reboot the computer. The changes are incorporated into the registry and the environment variable size is increased.

MORE INFORMATION

Windows Millennium Edition ignores Config.sys statements to increase the environment variable size.

For a list of command-line options, type command.com /?.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/28/2004
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb kbshell KB261825