MS-DOS CHKDSK Program Not Designed to Work with Windows

 Last reviewed: November 30, 1994
Article ID: Q32443
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 3.x, 4.x, 5.x, 6.0

SUMMARY

Microsoft recommends that you do not use the MS-DOS CHKDSK utility from Microsoft Windows.

If you choose to run CHKDSK from Microsoft Windows, do not use the /F parameter. CHKDSK was not designed to run with Windows, and the /F parameter closes any files your Windows applications are using (such as temporary files).

MORE INFORMATION

In MS-DOS version 5.0 and later, attempting to use CHKDSK with the /F parameter results in the message: 

   CHKDSK /F cannot be done in a Windows/DosShell command prompt
To check the amount of memory or disk space available when you are in Windows, choose the About MS-DOS Executive command from the File menu in the MS-DOS Executive window.

KBCategory: kbusage kbtool kbinterop
KBSubcategory: win30 win31
Additional reference words: 2.03 2.10 2.11 3.00 3.10 3.11 win30 win31

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Last reviewed: November 30, 1994
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