FG

Why can't I name a folder or file 'CON' in Windows?

Fresh3 days ago
Mar 15, 202678717 views
Confidence Score1%
1%

Problem

In all versions of Windows, we are unable to rename a file or a folder name as without third-party file renaming software. Trying to do this in Windows 7 results in an error: The specified device name is invalid. Trying to save a file as in Notepad leads to a similar error: This file name is reserved for use by Windows. Choose another name and try again. Why can't we name a file or folder in Windows?

Error Output

CON

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1 Fix

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Fix for: Why can't I name a folder or file 'CON' in Windows?

Low Risk

"con" is the name of a system I/O device, the console. con nul And a couple others, I think. In the old days it was common in DOS to create a file (and I still do this occasionally) with:

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