DOCUMENT:Q246766 11-JUN-2002 [winnt] TITLE :Executable File Does Not Run from Command Prompt in Windows NT PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:winnt:4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry SYMPTOMS ======== When you attempt to run an executable file or a batch file from the command prompt on a computer running Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 or Windows NT Workstation 4.0, the file may not run. When you then attempt to run the executable file from the Autoexec.bat file, using the %pathext% variable, the file still may not run. CAUSE ===== This behavior can occur when a value is missing from the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Environment RESOLUTION ========== WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. To resolve this issue, add the pathext value to the Environment key in the registry: 1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe) and locate the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Environment 2. Add the value to the registry key: a. On the Edit menu, click Add Value. b. In the Value Name box, type the following: PATHEXT=.COM;.EXE;.CMD;.BAT NOTE: Add any extensions that need to be executable. c. In the Data Type list, click REG_SZ, and then click OK. 3. Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer. Additional query words: com exe bat ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 Version : winnt:4.0 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= 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.