Using Quotes with DEL may Delete Wrong Directory Files

 Last reviewed: February 7, 1995
Article ID: Q124244
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5

SYMPTOMS

If you surround the path with quotes when using the DEL command, DEL attempts to delete the files in the directory above the path you specify. For example, if you type 

   del "c:\directory1\directory2"
DEL responds with: 

   c:\directory1\*, Are you sure (y/n)?
If you type Y, all the files will be deleted in the directory displayed in the warning prompt.

STATUS

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

WORKAROUND

If you use the wildcard character or asterisk (*), this problem will not occur. For example, if you type 

   del "c:\directory1\directory2\*"
DEL responds with: 

   c:\directory1\directory2\*, Are you sure (y/n)?

KBCategory: kbtool kbbug3.50
KBSubcategory: ntutil
Additional reference words: prodnt 3.50 lfn long file name filename

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Last reviewed: February 7, 1995
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