Start + Application Name Versus Application Name Only

 Last reviewed: August 30, 1996
Article ID: Q126410
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows 95

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Windows 95, you can start a Windows- or MS-DOS-based application from the command prompt in an MS-DOS window. To do so, you type the application's executable filename, or "start" plus the application's executable filename, at the MS-DOS command prompt.

For example, to start ScanDisk for Windows, you can type "scandskw" or "start scandskw" at the MS-DOS command prompt.

MORE INFORMATION

If you type only the application's executable filename, Windows 95 searches the current directory and then the directories on the path statement for the executable file. If the file is not found, you receive the following error message: 

   bad command or filename
If you type "start" before the application's executable filename, Windows 95 searches the current directory, the directories on the path statement, and the registry. If the file is not found, you receive the following error message: 

   Cannot find file '<filename>' (or one of its components).
   Check to ensure the path and filename are correct and that
   all required libraries are available.

KBCategory: kbui kbusage kberrmsg
KBSubcategory: wpp95 win95 winshell
Additional reference words: 95 wwt

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Last reviewed: August 30, 1996
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