Long Filenames or Paths with Spaces Require Quotation Marks (102739)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
This article was previously published under Q102739 SYMPTOMS
The following error message is given when specifying long filenames or
paths with spaces in Windows NT:
The system cannot find the file specified
CAUSE
Long filenames or paths with spaces are supported by NTFS in Windows
NT. However, these filenames or directory names require quotation
marks around them when they are specified in a command prompt
operation. Failure to use the quotation marks results in the error
message.
RESOLUTION
Use quotation marks when specifying long filenames or paths with
spaces. For example, typing the following at the command prompt
copy c:\my file name d:\my new file name
results in the following error message:
The system cannot find the file specified.
The correct syntax is:
copy "c:\my file name" "d:\my new file name"
Note that the quotation marks must be used.
MORE INFORMATION
Spaces are allowed in long filenames or paths, which can be up to 255
characters with NTFS. All operations at the command prompt involving
long names with spaces, however, must be treated differently.
Normally, it is an MS-DOS convention to use a space after a word to
specify a parameter. The same convention is being followed in Windows
NT command prompt operations even when using long filenames.
| Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 11/20/2003 |
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| Keywords: | kbother KB102739 |
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