Member Avatar for asameh99

when I typed the command attrib it says, 'attrib' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file. And some other commands like 'edit'. And after the post of my pc , "INVALID BOOT.INI file, booting from c:\WINDOWS\.. so lame need help ^^

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Good that the BOOT.INI problem was fixed for . The remaining symptom — common external utilities like attrib, edit and gpedit.msc failing to run — points to a small set of diagnosable causes beyond the shell itself. was right that attrib is not an internal cmd verb, highlighted the environment issue, and correctly suggested checking protected system files. The following fills gaps left by those notes with practical checks and safe next steps.

First, confirm whether the actual utility files still exist in the Windows system folders (check both 32‑ and 64‑bit locations on newer systems) and whether an antivirus product has quarantined them. Verify the running Windows edition: gpedit.msc is absent from many Home/Starter builds, so its absence may be by design rather than a fault. Also check whether the system was unintentionally moved to a different drive letter during the boot repair — environment entries that point to the wrong Windows folder will make external commands unreachable.

If files are missing or corrupted, prefer non-destructive recovery: use System Restore or the OS repair/repair‑install option, or restore missing executables from matched installation media or a known-good machine running the same Windows build and service pack (match bitness and SP). Run the OS file-repair utility from the recovery environment if possible. Before copying or restoring, back up the current system files and create a data backup.

Extra checks and cautions: ensure administrative rights when performing restores; verify environment settings and file‑association entries in the registry if the GUI editor is inaccessible; avoid mixing executables from different service packs or editions (that can destabilize the system). Following ’s PATH idea and ’s system-file approach in that diagnostic order—existence → permissions/quarantine → registry/env → repair/restore—usually isolates the fault without a full reinstall.

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Member Avatar for Murtan

attrib is a program, not an internal command.
Either, the program has been removed or renamed or it is not in your path.

Though it sounds like you have a more serious problem with the system. The BOOT.INI file is what Windows uses to determine where to find the windows installation to boot from (or what options to use). The message indicates that yours is invalid so it is booting by default from C:\WINDOWS.

How or why your BOOT.INI became invalid is not apparent from your description.

Member Avatar for Kapitaen M

Found this on the interwebs... don't know how relevant it is, therefore, to "INVALID BOOT.INI" file.

[However if you get this message, "'attrib' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.", as I did, perform the following (must be logged on as an administrator):

Start >
Settings >
Control Panel >
System >
Advanced >
Environment Variables >
System Variables >
Locate and highlight Path >
Edit >
Add the following line of text (exactly as printed below) to the beginning of the Variable Value list:
C:\WINDOWS\system32;
Confirm by clicking OK to each request.]

Member Avatar for asameh99

I usually use the 'attrib' for removing viruses by changing their attributes, but now after that BOOT.INI issue I can't use it anymore. And one more thing I can't run the gpedit.msc program for some tweaks ^^, what am I thinking right now is to reinstall my OS, but most of the sites and forums that I had searched about that BOOT.INI thing, they said insert the XP cd and repair my bootcfg I'm just confused If what shall I do with my rig. . .

Member Avatar for jbennet

XP pro right?

Member Avatar for gerbil

attrib is a command, it will not run from the run window because it is not a pgm.
May we have a glance at your boot.ini file, please?
Go Start, Run, paste in ..
control sysdm.cpl,,3 -and press Enter. Go Startup n Recovery Settings, press Edit button. Paste here the notepad that pops.

Member Avatar for asameh99

BOOT.INI file issue solved, thanks guys ^^ , the problem left is I can't run some commands in command prompt like attrib, edit etc. T_T. And the gpedit.msc thing thanks for the help ^^

Member Avatar for gerbil

for the cmd problem, best I can suggest is running..
sfc /scannow
to check nd replace any corrupt protected system files. Or just try copying in cmd.exe from your installation cd. It is in I386, you need to expand it thus:
expand "cd drive letter"\i386\_ %systemdrive%\system32\cmd.exe

Member Avatar for Eng.muslima

@Kapitaen M
thank u very much

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