Cannot Copy File Whose Filename Begins with a Period (135179)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 95

This article was previously published under Q135179

SYMPTOMS

When you try to copy a file, if the source or destination is a long filename that starts with a period (.), you receive the error message "Path not found."

Note that this problem occurs only if you supply a path to the source or destination file. For example,

   copy c:\path\to\.source destdir

or:

   copy source c:\path\to\.dest

CAUSE

This problem occurs because Command.com assumes that any filename beginning with a period is a directory name, even though long filenames can begin with a period.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, use Windows Explorer to copy the file instead of typing a COPY command at an MS-DOS prompt. Or, copy the file using its short filename, and then rename the file.

Modification Type:	Major	Last Reviewed:	12/17/2000
Keywords:	KB135179