Can you create a folder named “CON” in windows?
The Answer is NO and YES!
Why the answer is NO.
NO because when create a new folder and try to rename it to any one of the above specified names, you know what happens! In Windows XP the folder name automatically changes back to “New Folder” no matter you try any number of
times. Where as in Windows Vista/7 when you try to rename the file you get an error message “The specified device name is invalid”.
Why it is not possible to create a folder names CON?
Before we proceed further, let me tell you a small secret you can’t even create a folder named
CON, PRN, AUX, NUL, COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, COM5, COM6, COM7, COM8, COM9, LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, LPT4, LPT5,
LPT6, LPT7, LPT8, and LPT9.and many others.
YES the reason you can’t create a folder with these names is because these are reserved keywords used by DOS/name of ports. The
below list is taken from Microsoft’s website shows a list of reserved keywords in DOS.
If you try creating a folder with any of these names, the name automatically changes back to the default “New Folder”.
And this is what has caused the confusion. Instead of automatically renaming the folder, had an explanatory warning
message popped up.
Yes we can create a folder named CON.
There is actually a way to create a folder named CON, or any other name from the above list of reserved keywords. This
can be done through command prompt. But it is advisable not to do so, as it might result in your system becoming
unstable.
To create a folder named CON:-
1) Go to command prompt
2)Type
C:\>md c:\com6
The directory name is invalid.
Geek Way: {just add a \}
C:\>md c:\com6\
C:\>
To delete the folder’s created using these ways:
C:\>rmdir\.c:\con
Other Way out:-
Hackers ways to create a folder with any name including the file names mentioned above
Right click and do create folder. While naming the folder, type ‘CON’ and type alt+255 in the num-pad holding the alt button.
Example: ‘CON’ + (hold atl + ’255′).
This process would create a folder named CON and a space with it. You cannot explicitly give a space because windows cuts off the excess spaces before or after the name.
OTHER WAY IS : Folder-name + {HOLD ALT+0160}
