SCANDSKW Err Msg: This Program Requires Microsoft Windows

Last reviewed: August 29, 1996
Article ID: Q121653

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

If you try to run the Windows 95 ScanDisk Disk Checking and Repair Tool (SCANDSKW.EXE) from an MS-DOS command prompt with the current drive locked, you receive the following error message:

   This program requires Microsoft Windows.

CAUSE

ScanDisk cannot run on a drive that has been locked in an MS-DOS window.

WORKAROUND

If you unlock the drive, you can run ScanDisk. To do this:

Use the COMMAND.COM Unlock switch as follows:
```
      UNLOCK <drive>:
```
Run SCANDSKW again.

MORE INFORMATION

ScanDisk for Windows 95 does not run on locked drives. This behavior is by design. You must unlock the drive before ScanDisk can be used.

If you try to run SCANDSKW from an MS-DOS command prompt on a locked drive, but the current drive is not locked, you receive the following error message:

   The ScanDisk operation cannot be performed now. It may work
   at a later time or if you shut down applications that are
   accessing the drive.

For example, if drive C is the current drive and drive D is locked, you receive the above error when you run SCANDSKW D: from the C: drive.

If you start the ScanDisk graphical user interface first and then select a drive that has been locked, you also receive the above error message. If you choose OK and then choose to start the ScanDisk operation anyway, you receive the following error message:

   The ScanDisk operation failed to complete because the ScanDisk
   operation is not supported on this drive. Note that this may be
   caused by the drive being locked by another application or the
   system.

For more information about Exclusive Volume Locking and the Windows 95 Lock and Unlock commands, query on the following words in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   exclusive and volume and lock

KBCategory: kbenv kbtool kberrmsg kbui
KBSubcategory: wpp95 win95 diskmem
Additional reference words: 95 windisk fixdrive.exe err msg

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Last reviewed: August 29, 1996
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