Cannot Use Runas.exe to Run Remote Programs on Mapped Drives (303308)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional

This article was previously published under Q303308

SYMPTOMS

When you try to use the Runas.exe tool to start an executable (.exe) program that is located on a mapped network drive, you may receive one of the following error messages.

Using Runas.exe at a Command Prompt

RUNAS ERROR: Unable to run - drive:\path\filename.exe
3: The system cannot find the path specified.

Using Runas.exe in the Windows User Interface

The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000022). Click on OK to terminate the application.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the mapped drive is connected in the security context of the locally logged on user. Runas.exe cannot access resources that were authenticated in the security context of another user.

RESOLUTION

Connect to the remote resource directly by using the Universal Naming Convention (UNC) path. To run the remote program by using the UNC path, use a command that is similar to the following command:

runas /user name:domain name\user name \\server name\share name\program name.exe

NOTE: The preceding default setting loads the profile for the alternate credentials. You may use the /noprofile or /netonly switches to prevent the profile from loading. For more information about Runas.exe, type runas /? at a command prompt, and then press ENTER.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft Windows 2000 does not strictly enforce the security context of mapped drives from the Runas.exe tool and allows this procedure to work.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/6/2002
Keywords:kbenv kberrmsg kbprb KB303308