KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q95118: Windows for Workgroups Open File Handle Limits

Article: Q95118
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 3.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.1,3.11
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 29-SEP-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

Windows for Workgroups version 3.1 is limited to 255 open file handles per
machine. This Windows for Workgroups limitation is caused by the MS-DOS limit of
255 open files at one time.

Windows for Workgroups 3.11 has the following open file handle limits:

- In an MS-DOS virtual machine (VM) you are limited to 254 file handles.

- The Windows for Workgroups Server VM provides file and print services. The
  Server VM allows 1024 file handles for remote users if 32-bit file access is
  enabled and 255 files handles if it is not.

- If you are using 32-bit file access, there is a theoretical limit equal to
  the amount of free RAM.

MORE INFORMATION
================

Some applications may require a server to have more than 255 files open at one
time. For example, a database application may have 255 files open at one time on
a Windows for Workgroups server. If this limit is exceeded, you may receive
application-specific error message concerning open files or memory.

There are no workarounds to these limitations for Windows for Workgroups.

REFERENCES
==========

"MS-DOS User's Guide and Reference," version 5.0, pages 252, 493-494

Additional query words: 3.10 maximum fox dbase paradox

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbAudDeveloper kbWFWSearch kbWFW310 kbWFW311
Version           : WINDOWS:3.1,3.11

=============================================================================

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.