Path of the script file is not set correctly when you use the "set mydir=%~dps0" command line in a .cmd script (833431)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you use the following command line in a script file that uses the .cmd extension, the path of the script file is not set to use a folder that uses the same name of the script file in short name format:
set mydir=%~dps0
For example, if you run a script file that is named MyScript.cmd and that is located in a folder that is named 1234567890 on drive C, the path of the script file is not set to C:\123456~1 as expected.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the %~dps0 parameter incorrectly concatenates the path of the script file.

RESOLUTION

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Windows XP. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322389 How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

Hotfix information

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, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Microsoft Windows XP service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site: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 usual 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 hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Windows XP

   Date         Time   Version        Size     File name
   -----------------------------------------------------
   16-Dec-2003  20:23  5.1.2600.1329  255,488  Cmd.exe

Windows XP 64-Bit Edition

   Date         Time   Version        Size     File name  Platform
   ---------------------------------------------------------------
   16-Dec-2003  20:23  5.1.2600.1329  549,888  Cmd.exe    IA-64
   16-Dec-2003  20:23  5.1.2600.1329  255,488  Wcmd.exe   x86

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, do not use the %~dps0 parameter to change the path of the script file. Instead, use Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition (VBScript).

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section of this article. This problem was first corrected in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates


Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/28/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbtshoot kbWinXPpreSP2fix kbfix kbbug KB833431 kbAudITPRO