Unable to Delete File or Directory in File Manager

 Last reviewed: May 7, 1997
Article ID: Q101654

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

An attempt to delete or manipulate a file or directory fails.

CAUSE

The name of the file or directory ends with a space or a period. Because the Win32 file naming convention does not allow trailing spaces or periods, File Manager cannot delete such a file. Applications developed for Windows NT should not support creating such a file.

RESOLUTION

To delete one of these files or directories, type DIR /X in a Windows NT Command Prompt to determine its shortname. Then specify the shortname to the DEL command.

Additional query words: prodnt
Keywords : kbtool ntutil
Version : 3.1
Platform : WINDOWS

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Last reviewed: May 7, 1997
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