DOCUMENT:Q117619 04-OCT-1999 [win95x] TITLE :Cannot Use UNC Names for Working or Startup Directory PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product PROD/VER:WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11 - Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY ======= In Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Windows for Workgroups, you cannot specify a universal naming convention (UNC) name as the working directory for an application in the Program Item Properties dialog box. This limitation also applies to the startup directory specified in program information files (PIFs) for MS-DOS-based applications. MORE INFORMATION ================ Network users can refer to a network resource by its UNC name (typically in the form \\\ for Microsoft networks) without associating that connection with a drive letter. Although this is valid for some applications, Windows and Windows for Workgroups use the working (or startup) directory by attempting to change to that directory. Since it is not valid to change the directory to a UNC name, the operation fails. If a UNC name is listed as the working directory in the Program Item Properties dialog box, Windows may generate an error message indicating that the working directory is invalid. If a UNC name is used in the startup directory of an MS-DOS-based application's PIF, Windows may generate an error message indicating that the startup directory was not found. If you must have a working or startup directory pointing to a network share, associate a drive letter with the connection and then use the associated drive letter rather than the UNC as the working or startup directory. Note that when a network drive is used as the working directory, Windows or Windows for Workgroups may generate warning messages indicating that the application may not always be available (because the network is unavailable, the network drive letter is changed or deleted, and so forth.) Additional query words: start-up start up 3.10 3.1 3.11 3.0 3.00 3.0a ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbAudDeveloper kbWin3xSearch kbWFWSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin300 kbWin300a kbWin310 kbWin311 kbWFW310 kbWFW311 Version : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11 ============================================================================= 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. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1999.