"Windows Cannot End This Program" error message when you try to close a parent program in Windows 2000 (816131)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP3
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP3
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP3
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1

SYMPTOMS

When you start a program that runs in a command prompt window and that starts several child programs (such as a batch file), the child programs may stop responding, and you may receive an error message similar to the following:
Windows cannot end this program.

CAUSE

This behavior may occur when you try to click the close button (the X in the upper right corner of the program window) to close the parent program.

RESOLUTION

Service Pack Information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Windows 2000. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

260910 How to Obtain the Latest Windows 2000 Service Pack

Software Update Information

A supported software update that also resolves this problem is also available. This fix is included in the publicly available security patch that is described in the MS03-045 security bulletin. The security bulletin contains all the relevant information about the security patch, including file manifest information and deployment options. To view the complete security bulletin, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-045.mspx

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/10/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbshell kbWin2kSP4fix kbWin2000preSP4Fix kbfix kbbug KB816131 kbAudEndUser
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