Well, it's quite possible that the English version is the exception (I wouldn't have known that since it's the version I use ). It's also quite irrelevant. If -10 works for all instances, then we're set. Can some people using XP languages other than English confirm that for me? In a command prompt, type in echo %DATE:~-10%and post the results. I'm using a Taiwan windows version, and it doesn't seen to work for me since the day is at the end. echo %date:~-10% /10/14 ?¯ŠúŽl echo %date% 2004/10/14 ?¯ŠúŽl FOR /F %I IN ('DATE /T') DO echo %I 2004/10/14 and Microsoft Windows Script 5.6.8825 seems to be language dependent, since i have these files in addition: scripcht.cat jscht.dll scocht.dll scrrncht.dll vbscht.dll wshcht.dll Don't know what to tell you, sorry.