Cannot Use "Shell:" Command in the Run Dialog Box (274060)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
This article was previously published under Q274060

SYMPTOMS

When you try to run the shell: command in the Run dialog box, you may experience one of the following symptoms:
  • Your computer may stop responding (hang), and the screen may flash.
  • Nothing may occur.
  • You may receive the following error message:
    Application Exception Occurred
    App: Explorer.exe
    Exception Number C00000fd (Stack Overflow)

CAUSE

This problem can occur because you cannot use the shell: command in the Run dialog box.

RESOLUTION

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows 2000 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:
   Date     Time    Version        Size        File name
   --------------------------------------------------------
   9/15/00  7:51PM  5.0.3103.1000  2,336,528   Shell32.dll

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about how to install Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 hotfixes at the same time, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

249149 Installing Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 Hotfixes

When you try to run the shell: command in the Run dialog box after you apply the hotfix from this article, you receive a correct, descriptive error message instead of an access violation error message. Note that the bug that is described in this article does not involve the Shell statement that specifies an alternate command interpreter for the MS-DOS subsystem.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/12/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbbug kbfix kbQFE kbWin2000PreSP2Fix KB274060
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