Knowledge Base

PRB: CreateFile Fails on Win32s w/ UNC Name of Local Machine

Article ID: 129543

Article Last Modified on 3/16/2004

Microsoft Win32s 1.3c
Microsoft Win32s 1.2
Microsoft Win32s 1.3
Microsoft Win32s 1.30a

This article was previously published under Q129543

SYMPTOMS

CreateFile() fails on Win32s if the file name is a UNC name that refers to the local machine.

CAUSE

This is a limitation of Windows for Workgroups version 3.11. The same problem occurs with 16-bit Windows-based applications using OpenFile().

RESOLUTION

Do not use a UNC name to open a file on the local machine.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

There is a similar limitation with Windows version 3.1 and LAN Manager. If you create a network drive and try to open a file on the same network share using a UNC name, it will fail. This also happens with 16-bit Windows-based applications.

Additional query words: 1.20

Keywords: KB129543