16-bit ShellExecute Fails if Application Exists in Long Path

 Last reviewed: September 8, 1997
Article ID: Q172982
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

You may get a get an error code 2 (ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND) from ShellExecute if the associated executable file exists in a directory path containing a long file name.

CAUSE

The 16-bit WinExec is unable to handle unquoted long file names properly. It will incorrectly detect spaces as argument separators. For example, if you run ShellExecute on readme.txt, from 16-bit Visual Basic, it will try to locate the associated notepad.exe. If it exists in a directory with spaces or the file with which you run ShellExecute has spaces, ShellExecute will fail with the Error 2.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. A supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression-tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for more information. 

Keywords          : kbbug4.00 kbfix4.00 NTSrvWkst kberrmsg
Version           : WinNT:4.0
Platform          : winnt
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

================================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: September 8, 1997
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.