DOCUMENT:Q109536 09-OCT-1999 [win95x] TITLE :Err Msg Running MS-DOS-Based Apps: Cannot Start Application PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product PROD/VER:WINDOWS:3.1,3.11 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows versions 3.1, 3.11 - Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== If you include any parameters on your SET COMSPEC command (typically located in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file), you receive the following error message when you try to start MS-DOS-based applications under Windows or Windows for Workgroups: Cannot start application WORKAROUND ========== To work around this problem, edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT file and remove any parameters from your SET COMSPEC command. MORE INFORMATION ================ Any configuration parameters for COMMAND.COM should be placed on the SHELL= line in the CONFIG.SYS file. For example: shell=c:\dos\command.com c:\dos\ /e:512 /p Additional query words: 3.10 3.1 3.11 ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbAudDeveloper kbWin3xSearch kbWFWSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin310 kbWin311 kbWFW310 kbWFW311 Version : WINDOWS: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.