>Jeff,
>
>what I don't want to do is have users do an install before running my exe--I don't want to change anything about their local configuration--our local machine standards are very rigid--that's why I want to keep everything needed inside the exe or at least in the subdirectory! Is this possible?

Derek,
I don't think you have much choice here. I think you need VFP300.ESL in the windows system directory of each PC which will run the exe. You may be able to run with the esl file in the same directory as the exe but I don't hold out much hope. You could write a batch file or c program to copy the esl and then call your exe but that adds an extra overhead - it will only be required once. If you write a c program, it could spawn an exe to overlay the calling program (c). Apart from that, a setup would probably be your best bet.