Access Denied Error Starting Program When Directory Named Program Exists

When you attempt to start a program from the desktop, the Start menu, a shortcut, or from a file association, you may receive one of the following error messages:
-or- NOTE: This problem only affects programs whose executable files are located in folders within the Program Files folder.

These error messages can occur if any of the following conditions exists:

• You have a Program folder on the same drive as the Program Files folder.
• You are trying to run a program that does not write quoted path strings containing long file names into the registry. The execution of a process is handled by the Win32 CreateProcess() API. CreateProcess() is unable to distinguish between spaces in long file names, and spaces delimiting arguments to the function. If a quoted string is passed to the API, CreateProcess() is able to make this distinction and starts the program as expected.
• In Windows Explorer, the view option is set to hide DLLs. This is the default setting and should be changed to "Show all Files" if you receive this error message when running a 16-bit program.

To resolve this problem, use the appropriate method below:

Program Does Not Quote Long File Name Paths in the Registry

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

A Program Folder Exists on the Same Drive as the Program Files Folder

Rename the Program folder to a name other than Program. To do so, right- click the Program folder in Windows NT Explorer, click Rename, type a new name for the folder, and then press ENTER.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 4.

This behavior has been known to occur with the Inbox and Internet Explorer icon, and with shortcuts pointing to Microsoft Access databases. In addition, if you have a file on the root folder named C:\Program, the above problems may occur.

For additional information about additional symptoms that may occur, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: