"Access is Denied" when executing application from Command Prompt

Question

Today when I tried to run an old DOS utility from the Windows XP Command prompt, I got the error message "Access is Denied." Then I found that most of the DOS utilities would not run, even though I have "full control" over them. They worked just fine a few weeks ago, and I have not made any OS changes other than Windows Upgrades.

Then I tried running edlin.exe and edit.com from the Windows\system32 folder. Same result - "Access is Denied." I tried running these applications from Windows Explorer and got the message "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item."

I am logged in as a member of Administrators and have full control over these files. I tried logging in as The built-in Administrator account, with no change. I checked the security settings on the files, and have full control over all of them. I have tried copying the files to different drives, booting in safe mode, and running without antivirus and firewall, all with no change.

Does anybody know what could cause this?

score 2 · Accepted Answer · edited Sep 19 '20 at 08:30

What are your access rights to NTVDM.EXE? (This is the component which runs DOS and 16-bit programs)

I suggest using Process Monitor to find out exactly which process is trying and failing to access which file.

EDIT TO ADD

Looking at the results of Process Monitor, it looks like you've got the "Prevent access to 16-bit applications" policy set. To fix it, Start -> Run, Gpedit.msc. Navigate to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Application Compatibility and look at "Prevent access to 16-bit applications" in the right-hand pane. If it says Enabled, change it. Otherwise, look for the same policy under User Configuration.

score 0 · Answer 2 · edited Sep 19 '20 at 08:29

0

Are you running the Command Prompt as administrator though?

I think it's Windows Vista/7 and maybe XP you have to state that you want to run command prompt in administrator mode, even if you're logged in as an administrator.

In Vista, I think it's simply right click -> Run as administrator (the go through UAC if it's on).

edited Sep 19 '20 at 08:29

wasif

9,176

answered Mar 28 '10 at 23:02

lavamunky

314

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 19 '20 at 08:34

As @HughAllen said it can be because of a group policy setting.

For the users, who don't run a Professional or Ultimate/Enterprise edition of Windows, they can edit the setting using Windows Registry.

Go to the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat
Create a new REG_DWORD value named VDMDisallowed
To disable set value to 0
Or to enable set value to 1

"Access is Denied" when executing application from Command Prompt

3 Answers3