Err Msg: A Filename Cannot Contain Any of the Following...

• Microsoft Windows 95
• Microsoft Windows 95 OEM Service Release versions 2, 2.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server Enterprise Edition version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows 98

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to rename a file, folder, or shortcut, you may receive the following error message:
A filename cannot contain any of the following characters:

\ / : * ? " < > |

CAUSE

These characters cannot be used in file, folder, or shortcut names.

RESOLUTION

To rename a file, folder, or shortcut, use a valid character that is not listed in the error message.

MORE INFORMATION

You can rename the system desktop icons (such as My Computer, My Documents, Internet Explorer, and Network Neighborhood) using the invalid characters. The icons are system objects and do not follow the same naming convention as files, folders, and shortcuts.

The TAB key and inserted characters are also accepted after you press ENTER or click the icon once the renaming process is complete. Tab characters used in the names of the system icons are displayed as a space.

Characters that are valid for naming files, folders, or shortcuts include any combination of letters (A-Z) and numbers (0-9), plus the following special characters:

   $   Dollar sign
   %   Percent
   '   Apostrophe
   '   Opening single quotation mark
   -   Hyphen
   @   At sign
   {   Left brace
   }   Right brace
   ~   Tilde
   !   Exclamation point
   #   Number sign
   (   Opening parenthesis
   )   Closing parenthesis
   &   Ampersand
   _   Underscore
   ^   Caret 

ARTICLE-ID : Q132660
TITLE : Invalid Characters Allowed When Creating File Association

Additional query words: items

Keywords          : kberrmsg kbui osr2 win95 win98 winnt 
Version           : WINDOWS:95; WINNT:4.0
Platform          : WINDOWS winnt 
Issue type        : kbprb 

Last Reviewed: January 30, 1999