Error Moving File If File Already Exists on Destination Drive

 Last reviewed: May 8, 1997
Article ID: Q102819
The following information applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server, when you move a file from one logical drive to another, if that file already exists on the other drive, you will receive the following error message 

   Error Moving File
   STOP File Manager cannot move <DRIVE>:/<FILENAME.EXT>:The file
   exists.
where <DRIVE> is the name of the drive from which you are moving the file and <FILENAME.EXT> is the filename and filename extension of your file.

WORKAROUND

To move a file from one logical drive to another when the file already exists on the other drive, type the following at the command prompt 

   move [source] [target]
where [source] specifies the path and name of the file or files to move, and [target] specifies the path and name to move the files to.

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. Start File Manager.

  2. Make sure the same file exists on two logical drives, (for example, drives C and D).

  3. Select the file on drive C and press and hold down the SHIFT key.

  4. Drag the file to drive D.

You will receive a dialog box prompting you to confirm that you want to move and replace the file. When you choose the Yes button, you receive the error message described above.

Additional query words: prodnt
Keywords : kbbug3.10 kbtool ntutil
Version : 3.1
Platform : WINDOWS

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Last reviewed: May 8, 1997
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