Article ID: 943059 - Last Review: November 26, 2007 - Revision: 2.1

You may be unable to start an executable when you drag multiple files onto a shortcut on a Windows Vista-based computer

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SYMPTOMS

You drag multiple files onto the shortcut for an executable on a Windows Vista-based computer. In this case, the executable starts, and the list of files that are dragged is passed as a list of command-line parameters. However, the executable does not start in some cases.

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CAUSE

This problem occurs if the length of the combined paths of the files that are dragged exceeds 260 characters.

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WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods:

Open Windows Explorer, and then drag the files onto the executable in Windows Explorer.
Start the application, and then use one the following methods to open the desired files:
- Drag the file into the application's window.
- Use the application to open the file.

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