C# cannot find file specified

Question

Hi I am trying to create a app that uses the msg.exe to send messages over a network.

When i execute msg from cmd everything works fine, but when i open cmd with the form i am unable to, went to the system32 folder with cmd and the file is not shown there, but when i browse or use cmd normally it is and evrything works

tested it on another computer and app works fine, running win 7 64 bit on this 1.

Here is a code sample that i use to open cmd:

Process.Start("cmd");

i am running as admin i have tried executed it directly from msg.exe aswell, it seems to be a problem on 64 bit works on all 32 bit systems but not on any 64bit

edit: ok i found the problem when running 64bit 32 bit applications cannot run 64 bit apps in the system 32 folder. when trying to access this folder it redirects you to %WinDir%\SysWOW64 a work around is to use this path C:\Windows\Sysnative\file (%windir%\Sysnative)

Add some code and make you question a little bit more clear. What is your problem? — Restuta, Jan 13 '11 at 12:37
When you've tried executing `msg.exe` directly from the command prompt, are you logged in as an Administrator? — Cody Gray - on strike, Jan 13 '11 at 12:52
Yes im running as admin, tried using msg.exe directly used Process.Start("msg.exe", "/C msg /server:xxx xxx message"); gave me error system cannot find file specified — Splendid, Jan 13 '11 at 13:43

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 17 '13 at 20:57

The solution mentioned in the question was what did the trick for me - posting testable solution here for posterity:

public class Messenger : IMessenger
{
    private readonly IProcessWrapper _process;

    public Messenger(IProcessWrapper process)
    {
        _process = process;
    }

    public void SendMessage(string message)
    {
        var info = new ProcessStartInfo
            {
                WorkingDirectory = Path.Combine(Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.Windows), "sysnative"),
                FileName = "msg.exe",
                Arguments = string.Format(@" * ""{0}""", message),
                WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Hidden,
                UseShellExecute = true,
                Verb = "runas"
            };
        _process.Start(info);
    }
}


public interface IProcessWrapper : IDisposable
{
    IEnumerable<Process> GetProcesses();
    void Start(ProcessStartInfo info);
    void Kill();

    bool HasExited { get; }
    int ExitCode { get; }
}

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 11 '13 at 02:55

1

Perhaps you shoud check the "target platform" to build to. On my 64-bit win7 pc, I should choose "x64" or "Any CPU" to let my code to find "msg.exe".

answered Sep 11 '13 at 02:55

Ky Wu

86
1
2

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 13 '11 at 12:39

1

Do you need to use cmd at all? Why not use Process.Start to call msg.exe directly. If you know where it is, you should be able to run it.

answered Jan 13 '11 at 12:39

Tor Haugen

19,509
9
45
63

Tried this says it cannot find file. – Splendid Jan 13 '11 at 13:06
as far as i can see this seems to be a win 64 bit problem, it works on all 32 bit but not on 64 – Splendid Jan 14 '11 at 06:13

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Jan 13 '11 at 12:41

1

If you are in an app, you are probably better off executing "msg" directly

Process.Start("msg");

or

ProcessStartInfo startInfo = new ProcessStartInfo();
startInfo.FileName = "msg.exe";
startInfo.Arguments = "/SERVER hellowword";
startInfo.WorkingDirectory = @"C:\Temp";
startInfo.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Maximized;
startInfo.ErrorDialog = true;
Process process = Process.Start(startInfo);

answered Jan 13 '11 at 12:41

djeeg

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tried that code gives me a error windows cant find msg.exe, its a bit weird i did put code directly into it aswell, but it doesnt seem to find the file, so then i used cmd and checked the directory with it and it doesnt list it. If i use cmd normally or browse the folder the file is there. even tried making a shortcut and executing that says the shortcut isnt linked to anything. – Splendid Jan 13 '11 at 12:49

score 1 · Answer 5 · answered Jan 13 '11 at 12:41

1

Process p = new Process();
System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo sinfo = new System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo("C:\\Windows\\System32\\msg.exe");
p.StartInfo.Arguments=String.Format("/server:{0} {1} {2}",toServer,string.Compare(toUser.Trim(), "") == 0 ? "*" : toUser,message);
p.StartInfo = sinfo;
p.StartInfo.CreateNoWindow = true;
p.StartInfo.FileName = "msg.exe";
p.Start();

You may need to set the "Username" and "Password" for the StartInfo of the process.("msg.exe" is residing in a system folder and the user running the code not having the appropriate permissions to run from that folder.)

answered Jan 13 '11 at 12:41

abmv

7,042
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sorry im still a bit new to coding, do i need to change any values in that code section?, the toServer and toUser says it doesnt not exist in current context – Splendid Jan 13 '11 at 13:27
Ya u need to set stuff (Anything that appears red in VS) ! (Also maybe p.StartInfo.UserName | p.StartInfo.Password need to be set) – abmv Jan 13 '11 at 13:29
any chance u can give me a bit of an example? :P – Splendid Jan 13 '11 at 13:36

score 0 · Answer 6 · answered Jan 13 '11 at 12:39

0

On some Windows editions (e.g. Home, not Professional/Business etc.) msg.exe is not included.

answered Jan 13 '11 at 12:39

peenut

3,366
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C# cannot find file specified

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