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. The below list is taken from Microsoft’s website shows a list of reserved keywords in DOS.
NAME FUNCTION
CON Key board and display.
PRN System list device, usually a parallel port.
AUX Auxiliary Device, usually a serial port.
CLOCK$ System real-time clock.
NUL Bit-bucket device.
A: - Z: Drive letters.
COM1 First serial communication port.
LPT1 First parallel printer port.
LPT2 Second Parallel printer port.
LPT3 Third Parallel printer port.
COM2 Second serial communication port.
COM3 Third serial communication port.
COM4 Fourth serial communication port.
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. The below list is taken from Microsoft’s website shows a list of reserved keywords in DOS.
NAME FUNCTION
CON Key board and display.
PRN System list device, usually a parallel port.
AUX Auxiliary Device, usually a serial port.
CLOCK$ System real-time clock.
NUL Bit-bucket device.
A: - Z: Drive letters.
COM1 First serial communication port.
LPT1 First parallel printer port.
LPT2 Second Parallel printer port.
LPT3 Third Parallel printer port.
COM2 Second serial communication port.
COM3 Third serial communication port.
COM4 Fourth serial communication port.
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, go to command prompt and type "MD \\.\E:\CON” (without quotes). This will create a folder named CON in E:.
You cannot delete this folder by normal delete. To delete the folder, again go to command prompt and type
"RD \\.\E:\CON” without quotes.
"RD \\.\E:\CON” without quotes.
