Running 16-bit Applications with Long Directory Structure

 Last reviewed: August 22, 1995
Article ID: Q119788
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to run a 16-bit Windows-based application with a directory structure longer than 100 characters, including the filename, from File Manager, the program doesn't run and no error message appears. When you attempt to run a 16-bit Windows-based application from a command prompt, the following error message appears: 

   The system cannot execute the specified program.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT versions 3.1 and 3.5. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

KBCategory: kb3rdparty kbinterop kbbug3.10 kbbug3.50
KBSubcategory: nt16ap
Additional reference words: prodnt 3.10 3.50 DOS characters limit err msg

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Last reviewed: August 22, 1995
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