Can you create folder called "con" in Windows?

mjothi · 19th August 2008, 09:45

Guys, just saw a small clipping in my office advt system. It was saying taht you cannot create a folder called "con" in windows. I was wondering if that is true. Immediately I came to my desk and tried it in my laptop.
Man, its true. I am unable to create a folder in that name. Ok, I thought it may be in explorer. So, tried in cmd prompt and it reports as below

C:\Documents and Settings\mjothi>mkdir con
The directory name is invalid.

Need to try in my vista. Interesting so thought of sharing with you guys.

MalluDude · 19th August 2008, 09:49

well, you can't create a con directory in windows because CON is something like a reserved word that dates back to the time when MSDOS ruled. I believe there are more names like that with which you can't create folders with

Samurai · 19th August 2008, 09:52

This does not warrant a thread. Names like CON, PRN, COM1, COM2, etc are all devices on MS-DOS since the 80s.

19th August 2008, 09:45	#1
mjothi Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,287 Thanked: 231 Times View My Garage	Can you create folder called "con" in Windows? Guys, just saw a small clipping in my office advt system. It was saying taht you cannot create a folder called "con" in windows. I was wondering if that is true. Immediately I came to my desk and tried it in my laptop. Man, its true. I am unable to create a folder in that name. Ok, I thought it may be in explorer. So, tried in cmd prompt and it reports as below C:\Documents and Settings\mjothi>mkdir con The directory name is invalid. Need to try in my vista. Interesting so thought of sharing with you guys.
	() Thanks

19th August 2008, 09:49	#2
MalluDude BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kochi Posts: 397 Thanked: 56 Times View My Garage	well, you can't create a con directory in windows because CON is something like a reserved word that dates back to the time when MSDOS ruled. I believe there are more names like that with which you can't create folders with
	() Thanks

19th August 2008, 09:52	#3
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,826 Thanked: 45,513 Times View My Garage	This does not warrant a thread. Names like CON, PRN, COM1, COM2, etc are all devices on MS-DOS since the 80s.
	() Thanks