Missing COMMAND.COM Causes Hidden Console Error

 Last reviewed: October 2, 1997
Article ID: Q142271

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

SYMPTOMS

If you remove or rename %SystemRoot%\System32\COMMAND.COM, the following error message appears when you start a 16-bit Windows or MS-DOS application: 

   16 bit MS-DOS Subsystem: config.nt. The system file is
   not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows
   Applications.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, do one of the following:

  • Run the Windows NT Emergency Repair process and verify system files. Restart Windows NT and run the application again.

    -or-

  • Expand COMMAND.CO_ from the Windows NT CD-ROM disc to %SystemRoot%\SYSTEM32\COMMAND.COM.

    -or-

  • Expand Autoexec.nt_ and Config.nt_ from the Windows NT CD-ROM disc to %SystemRoot%\SYSTEM32\Autoexec.nt and Config.nt, respectively.

For additional trouble-shooting steps on running 16-bit Windows applications, please see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article: 

  ARTICLE ID: Q103656
  TITLE     : Troubleshooting 16-Bit Windows Applications Under Windows
              NT

Additional query words: 3.50 3.51 prodnt 4.0
Keywords : nt16ap kbenv
Version : 3.50 3.51 4.00
Platform : WINDOWS

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Last reviewed: October 2, 1997
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