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# From Command Prompt: "The Name Specified Is Not Recognized..."

Article ID: 103368

Article Last Modified on 11/1/2006

APPLIES TO

- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition
- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1

This article was previously published under Q103368

## SYMPTOMS

From the Windows NT Command Prompt, when you try to run a file or change to a directory whose name contains one of these characters

       &amp;  (  )  ^  ;  |  ,  or <space>

you then receive one of the following error messages:
The name specified is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.
-or-
The system cannot find the path specified.
The name specified is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

## CAUSE

Although File Manager and some other applications allow the use of the characters shown above, if you use any of these characters in a filename or directory name and then try to run the file or change to the directory from the Command Prompt, you will receive one of the error messages shown above.

### WORKAROUNDS

- In the Command Prompt, put quotation marks around the entire filename.
  -or-
- Put a "^" (without the quotation marks) before the extended character in the filename or directory name. The ; and , characters will not work in a filename or directory name.

## MORE INFORMATION

The Windows NT Command Prompt uses these characters for special functions. Refer to the Windows NT online Help file in the "What's New or Different from MS-DOS" section for information on the functions of these characters.

### Steps to Reproduce Problem

1. Using File Manager, in the Windows NT program directory, copy NOTEPAD.EXE and rename it to NOTE&PAD.EXE.
2. From the Main group, start the Command Prompt.
3. Change to the Windows NT program directory, type the following command, and press ENTER:

   note&pad

   One of the above error messages will appear.

Type the following command (with the quotation marks) to successfully run Notepad:

       "note&amp;pad"

Additional query words: prodnt

Keywords: kbother KB103368