Error Message: Cannot Find Win386.exe Needed to Run...

• Microsoft Windows 95
• Microsoft Windows 98

SYMPTOMS

When you start Windows, you may receive one of the following error messages:

• Cannot find Win386.exe needed to run in 386 enhanced mode; check to ensure the path is correct or reinstall Windows.



• You have started your computer with a version of MS-DOS incompatible with this version of Windows. Insert a Startup diskette matching this version of Windows and then restart. The system has been halted. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart you computer.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if a Win.com file from an earlier version of Windows exists in the root folder.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, remove or rename the Win.com file in the root folder, and then restart your computer. If you have an earlier version of Windows installed on your computer and there is no Win.com file in the folder for that version of Windows, move the Win.com file from the root folder to the folder containing the earlier version of Windows.

Keywords          : kbenv kberrmsg win95 win98 
Version           : WINDOWS:95,98
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb 

Last Reviewed: January 28, 1999