Windows for Workgroups Open File Handle Limits

• Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

Windows for Workgroups version 3.1 is limited to 255 open file handles per machine. This Windows for Workgroups limitation is caused by the MS-DOS limit of 255 open files at one time.

Windows for Workgroups 3.11 has the following open file handle limits:

• In an MS-DOS virtual machine (VM) you are limited to 254 file handles.
• The Windows for Workgroups Server VM provides file and print services. The Server VM allows 1024 file handles for remote users if 32-bit file access is enabled and 255 files handles if it is not.
• If you are using 32-bit file access, there is a theoretical limit equal to the amount of free RAM.

MORE INFORMATION

Some applications may require a server to have more than 255 files open at one time. For example, a database application may have 255 files open at one time on a Windows for Workgroups server. If this limit is exceeded, you may receive application-specific error message concerning open files or memory.

There are no workarounds to these limitations for Windows for Workgroups.

REFERENCES

"MS-DOS User's Guide and Reference," version 5.0, pages 252, 493-494