>I have the runtime library in the path specified as the target in the shortcut properties. (the same as for other versions of windows) This would mean that it was in the "default" directory and therefore IN the search path... right?

Everything you are stating looks correct--the ESL needs to be in the target folder with the EXE. Is there a chance that you may have compiled the EXE in foxpro 2.6 while using the Foxpro 2.5 ESL at the client?