File Manager Cannot Cancel a Single File Copy Operation

• Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

When you are copying a large file in Windows NT File Manager, the Cancel button in the Copying dialog box may not cancel the operation.

CAUSE

File copy operations are single threaded; therefore, while copying a single large file, you may be unable to cancel the operation because the keyboard is not checked. This problem occurs copying to both the floppy disk and the hard disk; however, it is more noticeable when copying to a floppy disk because that operation is slower.

NOTE: If you copy multiple files, you can cancel the operation between individual file copy operations.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.1 and Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Problem

1. Open File Manager and find a large file (at least 1 megabyte in size).

2. Insert a blank floppy disk in drive A.

3. From the File menu, choose Copy, and select A:\ as the destination.

   The Copying... dialog box appear.

4. Press the Cancel button.