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Q186613: Using the Start Command with Long File Names

Article: Q186613
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): WinNT:4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 11-DEC-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition 
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SYMPTOMS
========

You can use the Start command at a command prompt to start applications either
at the Terminal Server console or within a Terminal Server Client session. For
instance, the command

       start "\\server\share\group contact info.xls"

should open Excel and this spreadsheet, but it does not.

CAUSE
=====

A problem in the parser in Windows NT Server 4.0 causes this command to fail.

RESOLUTION
==========

To make the command work, the command line must be modified to:

       start \\server\share\"group contact info.xls"

STATUS
======



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

More generally, this command will fail:

       start "\\LONG SERVER\LONG SHARE\LONG DIR\LONG FILE"

This command will work:

       start  \\"LONG SERVER"\"LONG SHARE"\"LONG DIR"\"LONG FILE"

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbNTTermServ400 kbNTTermServSearch
Version           : WinNT:4.0
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbnofix

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