KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q191005: BUG: EXE Created Without File Extension on Windows 98

Article: Q191005
Product(s): Microsoft Visual Basic for Windows
Version(s): WINDOWS:6.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbCompiler kbVBp kbVBp600bug kbGrpDSVB kbDSupport
Last Modified: 13-JAN-2001

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

- Microsoft Visual Basic Learning Edition for Windows, version 6.0, on platform(s):
   - the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Professional Edition for Windows, version 6.0, on platform(s):
   - the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Enterprise Edition for Windows, version 6.0, on platform(s):
   - the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

Creating an EXE in Visual Basic on Windows 98 creates a file without a .EXE
extension. Attempting to run the application by clicking on the filename within
Windows Explorer opens a dialog asking you to "Open With...", providing a list
of installed applications.

CAUSE
=====

The .EXE file created does not have a .EXE extension, therefore Windows does not
know how to open the file. The file extension will not be created if the
following conditions are true:

- The Windows Explorer setting "Hide File extensions for known file types" is
  set to the default value of True.

- The Windows Explorer setting for Hidden Files is set to the default option of
  "Do not show hidden system files."

- The above two settings have never been changed from their default values.

RESOLUTION
==========

To work around this problem, change the Windows Explorer setting for "Hide File
extensions for known file types" and change the Hidden Files option to something
other than "Do Not show hidden or system files."

Step-by-Step Example
--------------------

1. Open Windows Explorer. Choose Folder Options from the View menu.

2. Select the View Tab. Deselect the "Hide Files extensions for known file
  types."

3. Change the Hidden Files option to something other than "Do not show hidden or
  system files."

  If you change the above two settings on Windows 98 from their defaults and
  then set them back again, this problem will no longer occur.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Microsoft products listed at the
beginning of this article. We are researching this bug and will post new
information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbCompiler kbVBp kbVBp600bug kbGrpDSVB kbDSupport 
Technology        : kbVBSearch kbAudDeveloper kbZNotKeyword6 kbZNotKeyword2
Version           : WINDOWS:6.0
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbpending

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

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 1986-2002.