File and Dir. Names with Caps Show Both 8.3 and Long Filenames

Last reviewed: May 15, 1997
Article ID: Q114349

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5

SUMMARY

On a FAT disk partition, file and directory names containing uppercase characters (for example, Test, teSt, and TEST) show up in File Manager as both a long filename and a DOS 8.3 filename. The DOS 8.3 filename is visible when the DOS Filename option is enabled from the Partial File Details option of the View menu or when the All File Details option is chosen from the View menu.

MORE INFORMATION

The MS-DOS FAT file system normally only stores names in uppercase. When you create a file or directory with mixed case, Windows NT stores that name in the long name space to preserve the case. This necessitates the creation of a short name. To illustrate, from a command prompt, type:

   copy con TeSt.TXT
   This is a test file. <Ctrl-Z>
   dir /x

you will see:

   ..............  TEST.TXT         TeSt.TXT


Additional query words: lfn prodnt
Keywords : kbother ntfilesys
Version : 3.5
Platform : WINDOWS


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Last reviewed: May 15, 1997
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