Workarounds for 128 Character PATH Limitation (72171)
The information in this article applies to:
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition SP4
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition SP5
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition SP6
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1
• Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.1
• Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.2
• Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.21
• Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.3
• Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.3a
• Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 4.0
• Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 4.01
• Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 5.0
• Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 5.0a
• Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.0
• Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.2
• Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.21
• Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.22
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP1
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP2
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP3
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP5
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a
• Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0 SP4
• Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0 SP5
• Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0 SP6a
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP1
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP2
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP3
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP4
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP5
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6a
This article was previously published under Q72171
SUMMARY
All MS-DOS environment variables are limited by the COMMAND.COM input
buffer length of 128 characters, including the PATH. The figure 128
includes an end-of-variable character, the variable name, and the =
(equal) sign. Therefore, PATH actually has only 122 characters to hold
the directories you want COMMAND.COM to search. This limit cannot be
expanded.
The following are some techniques to get the most use out of those 122
characters:
• Use "C:" instead of "C:\".
• Eliminate unneeded directories from your PATH.
• Use short directory names.
• Create batch files that modify the PATH as necessary.
• Create batch files that execute programs.
• Eliminate drive letters in the PATH.
• Reduce the number of directories.
• Substitute drive letters for directories with SUBST.
• Use third party terminate-and-stay-resident "PATH extenders."
• Replace COMMAND.COM with another command interpreter.
Modification Type: |
Major |
Last Reviewed: |
5/12/2003 |
Keywords: |
KB72171 |
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