KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q120902: Cannot Specify a Working Directory for a Windows Executable

Article: Q120902
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): 95 4.00
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): win95
Last Modified: 08-AUG-2001

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

- Microsoft Windows 95 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

When you set the properties of a Windows-based executable file, you cannot
specify the working directory.

CAUSE
=====

Windows 95 is designed to behave this way because the executable file must be
preserved in its original format so that links assigned to it can rely on stable
(unchanging) data.

RESOLUTION
==========

If you create a link or shortcut to the original executable file, you can then
specify the working directory.

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

Moving the original executable to the working directory is NOT recommended
because other links may be dependent upon its current directory.

NOTE: MS-DOS-based applications use program information files (.PIFs); therefore,
you can specify a working directory for them using their properties.

Additional query words: COM EXE BAT

======================================================================
Keywords          : win95 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWin95search kbZNotKeyword3
Version           : 95 4.00

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

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.