No Executable File Execution Precedence

Last reviewed: May 7, 1997
Article ID: Q101775
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1

There is no rule as to which executable file will be started first when file names differ only by extension (.COM, .EXE, .BAT, or .CMD). The order in which program launchers search for executable files is specific to the program launcher. The Windows NT API, CreateProcess, looks for a file name with an .EXE extension if none was specified in the call.


Additional query words: prodnt
Keywords : kbother ntgeneral
Version : 3.1
Platform : WINDOWS


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Last reviewed: May 7, 1997
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