Running a Batch or Command File from Windows NT Explorer Fails

ID: Q171651

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you try to run a .bat or .cmd file from Explorer or by using the Run command on the Start menu, you see a command window open and then close immediately. If you could read the message it would say:

This command is not recognized as an internal or external command.

The .bat or .cmd file will work fine if you open a command prompt window, go to the directory, and run the file.

CAUSE

The .bat or .cmd file is located in a directory that has one of the following characters in the directory name or a parent directory name:


   @ & ^ ( )

NOTE: If you use the Run command on the Start menu, the at symbol (@) does not cause this problem.

RESOLUTION

Change the parent directory name so that it does not use one of those characters.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words: VDM dosapp prodnt

Keywords : ntdosap
Version : WINNT:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbprb