DOCUMENT:Q148435 20-FEB-2002 [winnt] TITLE :CMD.EXE Help Refers To Non-Existing Registry Key PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER::3.51 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.51 - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.51 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you type "CMD /?" (without quotes), the MS-DOS Command Prompt (CMD.EXE) Help information appears and it mentions the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MicroSoft\Command Processor\EnableExtensions This Command Processor registry key does not exist. WORKAROUND ========== To work around this problem, do the following: WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk. 1. Start Registry Editor (REGEDT32.EXE) and locate the following Registry subkey in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER subtree: \Software\Microsoft 2. From the Edit menu, select Add Key. 3. For the Key Name, enter: Command Processor 4. Select the Command Processor key. 5. From the Edit menu, select Add Value. 6. Enter the following: Value Name: EnableExtensions Data Type: REG_DWORD String: 1 7. Click OK and quit Registry Editor. 8. Shutdown and restart Windows NT. 9. To verify that the Command Processor extensions are enabled, start the MS-DOS Command Prompt (CMD.EXE) and type the following: "assoc" (without the quotation marks) A list of applications currently associated with file extensions appears. STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.51. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available. MORE INFORMATION ================ Command Extensions to the Windows NT version of CMD.EXE are an attempt to make CMD.EXE a more useful programming tool, while maintaining compatibility with existing command scripts. At the same time, given the diversity of usage of the command script language, the possibility exists that some incompatibility may be found. So the capability exists to enable or disable the extensions, either via the command line or via a command in a command script. This allows an escape for any potential compatiblity problems that may be found. The command extensions currently involve changes and/or additions to the following commands: - MKDIR creates any intermediate directories in the path if needed. The percent (%) sign and a number in a batch script refers to all the arguments (for example: %1 %2 %3 %4 %5). - DEL /s only displays files that are deleted and not those it could not find. - When you invoke the SET command with a variable name, no equal sign, or value, the value of that variable appears. Non-executable files may be invoked through its file association just by typing the name of the file as a command. ASSOC is a new command that you can use to add, display or change file associations. Additional query words: 3.51 prodnt ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNT351search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS351search Version : :3.51 ============================================================================= 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 2002.