Cannot Start 16-Bit Program with Path Name of More Than 64 Characters
Article ID : 241712
Last Review : May 14, 2003
Revision : 2.0
This article was previously published under Q241712
SYMPTOMS
When you attempt to start a 16-bit program from a folder that has a
full path name with more than than 64 characters, the following error
message appears:
Path\Filename.exe
The parameter is incorrect.
If you attempt to run the same program from a command prompt, the
error message is:
The system cannot execute the specified program.
If you attempt to start the program by using the Microsoft Windows
3.x File Manager tool (Winfile.exe), the following error message
appears:
You do not have permission to access this file.
If you attempt to start the program from a command prompt in Windows
NT 3.51, the error message is:
The system cannot execute the specified program.
Using File Manager (Winfile) in Windows NT 3.51, the error message
is:
Not enough memory to start the specified application. Quit one or
more applications, and then try again.
In Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4, using Windows Explorer generates
the following error message:
Path\Filename.exe
The parameter is incorrect.
When you attempt to start the 16-bit program from Winfile, the
message is:
You do not have permission to access this file.
If you attempt to start the program from a command prompt:
The system cannot execute the specified program.
When you use Windows Explorer in Windows 2000, the error message is:
Path\Filename.exe
The parameter is incorrect.
When you attempt to start the program from a command prompt in
Windows 2000, the error message is:
The system cannot execute the specified program.
CAUSE
This restriction is enforced in the emulation layer and matches the
MS-DOS restriction for 16-bit programs.
STATUS
This behavior is by design.
APPLIES TO
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition