Article ID: 153044 - Last Review: January 19, 2007 - Revision: 1.3

Error Message: Cannot Find Win386.exe Needed to Run...

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This article was previously published under Q153044
If this article does not describe the error message that you are receiving, view the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article to view more articles that describe error messages:
315854  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315854/EN-US/ ) Windows 98 and Windows Me Error Message Resource Center
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SYMPTOMS

When you start Windows, you may receive one of the following error messages:
  • Cannot find Win386.exe needed to run in 386 enhanced mode; check to ensure the path is correct or reinstall Windows.
  • You have started your computer with a version of MS-DOS incompatible with this version of Windows. Insert a Startup diskette matching this version of Windows and then restart. The system has been halted. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart you computer.
  • An error has occurred. To Continue:

    Press Enter to return to Windows.
  • Windows protection error. You need to restart your computer.
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CAUSE

This behavior can occur if a Win.com file from an earlier version of Windows exists in the root folder.
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RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, remove or rename the Win.com file in the root folder, and then restart your computer. If you have an earlier version of Windows installed on your computer and there is no Win.com file in the folder for that version of Windows, move the Win.com file from the root folder to the folder containing the earlier version of Windows.
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
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Keywords: 
kbenv kberrmsg kbprb kbwinprotecterr KB153044
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