Windows Err Msg: Cannot Find the SETUP.INF File Necessary...

 Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
Article ID: Q86013
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to use the Windows Setup program located in the Main group of Windows, the following error message may occur: 

   Cannot find the SETUP.INF file necessary to run setup. Be sure that
   the file is in a directory on the default path.

CAUSE

The SETUP.INF file is an information file that Windows Setup uses to install Windows system and application files, and to create program groups. This error can occur if the SETUP.INF file is not in the Windows SYSTEM subdirectory or if the SETUP.INF file is being accessed by another program.

RESOLUTION

If the file is missing, you can copy it directly from the Windows 3.0 or 3.1 Setup disk #1. The SETUP.INF on disk #1 is not compressed.

If SETUP.INF is being accessed by Write or another application, close the application before running Windows Setup. In Windows 3.0 the following error message also appears 

   System Error
   Sharing violation on drive <x>:
where <x> is the drive letter where the file is located.

KBCategory: kbsetup kberrmsg
KBSubcategory: wfw win30 win31 wfwg
Additional reference words: 3.00 3.10 err msg

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.