File Not Found Errors in cmd.exe

When writing batch scripts or dealing with cmd.exe, we may run into file not found errors from time to time. In cmd.exe, some different errors may be reported when a file/directory/drive cannot be found.

1.

Error Text

'…' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

%ERRORLEVEL%

9009

Examples

%ProgramFiles%\Notepad++\notepad++.exe
RandomCommand
C:\Windows\NonExistent.exe

Notes

This error is reported when the command to be executed does not exist.

If the command is in the form dir1\dir2\file, it implies that dir1\dir2 does exist, but file does not exist in that directory. If dir1\dir2 does not exist, path not found error is reported.

2.1

Error Text

The system cannot find the path specified.

%ERRORLEVEL%

3

Examples

dir1\dir2\file
C:\Window\notepad.exe

2.2

Error Text

The system cannot find the path specified.

Notes

Here, please be noted that if this particular error happens in the I/O redirection part (> C:\nonexistent\file), i.e., the directory containing the file to be redirected to does not exist, then %ERRORLEVEL% won't be touched at all, neither reflects this error, nor reflects the actual exit code returned by the command, but keeping its previous value.

%ERRORLEVEL%

Not Touched, keeping its previous value.

Example

diff > C:\nonexistent\file

3.

Error Text

The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.

%ERRORLEVEL%

123

Examples

" %ProgramFiles%\Notepad++\notepad++.exe"
'%ProgramFiles%\Notepad++\notepad++.exe'

Notes

When a path contains leading spaces, or is surrounded by single quotes, this error is reported.

Note that paths with trailing spaces are fine.

Note that call commands with leading spaces via cmd /c is fine.

4.

Error Text

The system cannot find the drive specified.

%ERRORLEVEL%

Not Touched, keeping its previous value.

Examples

Z:
B:\dir

5.1

When commands are prefixed with start, and encounter file/path not found error when executing, %ERRORLEVEL% will always be set to 9059.

Error Text

The system cannot find the file filename.

%ERRORLEVEL%

9059

Examples

start RandomCommand
start dir1\dir2\file
start "" " %ProgramFiles%\Notepad++\notepad++.exe"

5.2

When commands are prefixed with start, and encounter drive not found error when executing, %ERRORLEVEL% will be set to 5, in contrast to not touched when running commands without start prefixed as documented in previous section.

Error Text

Access is denied.

%ERRORLEVEL%

5

Examples

start B:\dir

6

When commands are prefixed with call or cmd /c, and encounter file/path/drive not found error when executing, %ERRORLEVEL% will always be set to 1.

Error Text

The same as when executed without call or cmd /c.

%ERRORLEVEL%

1

Examples

call RandomCommand
call dir1\dir2\file
call " %ProgramFiles%\Notepad++\notepad++.exe"
call B:\dir

cmd /c RandomCommand
cmd /c dir1\dir2\file
cmd /c B:\dir