DOCUMENT:Q247409 08-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :RD Command with /S and "" Parameters Deletes All Subdirectories PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:WINDOWS:2000; winnt:4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbenv kberrmsg kbtool ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== If you run the RD command with the /S and "" parameters at a command prompt in Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 Beta Version, all the subdirectories are deleted, even if you receive the following error message: The system cannot find the path specified. CAUSE ===== The RD command in Windows NT 4.0 uses the NULL string as the current working directory. RESOLUTION ========== Microsoft recommends that you do not use a NULL string as a directory name. STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be an issue in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 Beta version. Additional query words: Utilities tools ====================================================================== Keywords : kbenv kberrmsg kbtool Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT400search kbwin2000Serv kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbwin2000ServSearch kbwin2000Search Version : WINDOWS:2000; 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 2001.