Cannot Copy File Whose Filename Begins with a Period

Last reviewed: August 22, 1995
Article ID: Q135179

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you try to copy a file, if the source or destination is a long filename that starts with a period (.), you receive the error message "Path not found."

Note that this problem occurs only if you supply a path to the source or destination file. For example,

   copy c:\path\to\.source destdir

or:

   copy source c:\path\to\.dest

CAUSE

This problem occurs because Command.com assumes that any filename beginning with a period is a directory name, even though long filenames can begin with a period.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, use Windows Explorer to copy the file instead of typing a COPY command at an MS-DOS prompt. Or, copy the file using its short filename, and then rename the file.

KBCategory: kbui
KBSubcategory: posfest win95 winshell
Additional reference words: 95

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: August 22, 1995
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.