MS-DOS and Windows command line errors
While in MS-DOS or the Windows command line you may encounter any number of errors. If you're not familiar with a command line, some errors can seem cryptic or confusing. Below is a full list of errors that may occur while in MS-DOS and the Windows command line.
A duplicate file name exists, or the file cannot be found
When attempting to rename a file, the file does not exist, or there is already a file with that name. Verify no other file exists with the same name in the current directory and that the file name is typed correctly.
Abort, Retry, Fail?
This error happens when reading a diskette that is not readable or when there is no disk or disc in the drive.
Access denied
In new versions of Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 if you do not run the Windows command line in an elevated mode, you'll get "Access denied" errors when running a command.
Access denied also happens when a file or directory has read-only attributes, is being modified by another person or program, or has other permission problems.
Bad command or file name
Misspelling, error when typing a command, or invalid command for your version of MS-DOS or Windows. See our file name page for information about files, file name examples, and a list of invalid characters.
Bad or missing command interpreter
The computer cannot locate COMMAND.COM, an important file that enables the computer to boot into the operating system.
Cannot perform a cyclic copy
This error occurs when you're trying to copy or xcopy all directories and files, and that directory also contains the directory you're copying all the files. If this command were to be allowed, it would get into a loop and would never stop copying the same files over and over. When using the xcopy command, if you're copying all subdirectories you must copy those files and folders to a completely separate directory or drive.
Divide overflow
The program has attempted to divide something by zero. This error is often caused by an error in the program you're running on your computer. Verify there are no available patches or other updates for the software you're using on your computer.
Drive not ready
Disk or disc in the drive is not readable.
Duplicate file name or file not found
When attempting to rename a file, the file does not exist or there is already a file with that name. Verify no other file exists with the same name in the current directory, and that the file name is typed correctly.
File cannot be copied onto itself
An attempt to copy a file could not be completed because the file already exists or same source and destination. Copy the file to an alternate drive or directory.
File creation error
Directory could be full because of the DOS limitation of files in one directory, the file already exist, or the file was not copied correctly. Try creating or copying the file in a different directory.
File not found
The file you attempted to list, copy, or edit does not exist in the directory. Verify you are in the correct directory and that the file exists in that directory using the dir command.
This error may also occur if you are using a backslash instead of a forward slash for switches on commands. For example, doing dir \p instead of the proper dir /p.
General failure
An unknown error has occurred that is not known by MS-DOS. If this is given when trying to read the hard drive, you may need to format the hard drive as it could be failing or already bad.
Insufficient disk space
Disk is full or, if you are trying to copy am file to a disk, the file is too big to fit on the disk.
Internal stack overflow
The MS-DOS internal storage areas are full. You may need to go into your config.sys and increase the STACKS=0,0 line.
Invalid directory
The directory or path you attempted to enter does not exist in the current directory or drive.
Invalid drive specification
The drive letter you're typing does not exist on the computer.
Invalid file name or file not found
This error occurs when attempting to rename, copy, or otherwise manipulate a file the file does not exist. Verify you're typing the file you want to rename correctly.
Invalid media, track 0 bad or unusable
Format command cannot format the specified disk or the disk capacity is invalid, or bad disk.
Invalid number of parameters
When the command was typed, something was left out that MS-DOS needed, it was mistyped, or a space was placed where one was unnecessary.
This error often occurs when you're typing a directory in the MS-DOS or the Windows command line with spaces. For example, using the xcopy command to copy files in the Documents and Settings folder. When typing a directory with spaces in MS-DOS, make sure to surround the path with quotes. For example, instead of typing cd documents and settings documents and settings type cd "documents and settings" at the prompt.
Invalid parameter
Typed a command correctly but specified the incorrect parameter, such as format /z.
Invalid switch
The wrong slash was typed, for example, "cd/" instead of "cd\."
Non-System disk or disk error
Not ready, reading drive X
The drive letter you're typing does not exist on the computer or there is no disk or disc in the drive.
Parse error
A parse error occurs when the command you're typing in has invalid syntax. For example, if you're surrounding your path in quotes and leave out the ending quotes.
The system cannot find the drive specified
The drive letter you're typing does not exist on the computer.
The system cannot find the file specified
This error occurs when attempting to rename, copy, or otherwise manipulate a file the file does not exist. Verify you're typing the file you want to rename correctly.
The system cannot find the path specified
The directory or path you attempted to enter does not exist in the current directory or drive.
Write fault error
Tried to reroute text to a device that is not connected, is not valid or not hooked up.
Write-protect
Tried to write to a disk that is write-protected.