File Names in Windows Server 2003
Every time you create a file with a long file name, NTFS creates a
second file entry that has a similar 8.3 short file name. A file with an
8.3 short file name has a file name containing 1 to 8 characters and a
file name extension containing 1 to 3 characters. The file name and file
name extension are separated by a period. File names in
Windows Server 2003 can be up to 255 characters and can contain spaces,
multiple periods, and special characters that are not allowed in MS-DOS
file names. Windows Server 2003 makes it possible for other operating
systems to access files that have long names by generating an
MS-DOS-readable (8.3) name for each file. These MS-DOS-readable names
also enable MS-DOS-based and Windows 3.x–based applications to recognize
and load files that have long file names. When a program saves a file
on a computer running Windows Server 2003, both the 8.3 file name and
long file name are retained. Note • The 8.3
format means that files can have between 1 and 8 characters in the file
name. The name must start with a letter or a number and can contain any
characters except the following: • . " / \ [ ] : ; | = , * ? (space)
• An 8.3 file name typically has a file name extension that is from one
to three characters long and has the same character restrictions. A
period separates the file name from the file name extension. • Several special file names |