Extended Characters in Filenames Under Windows 3.1 (82569)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows 3.1
- Microsoft Windows 3.11
This article was previously published under Q82569 SUMMARY
Under Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1, a number of
applications have problems with extended characters in filenames that
"worked" under Windows 3.0.
The root of this problem involves the mapping of the extended ANSI set
between 128-159 under Windows 3.1, which was NOT mapped under Windows 3.0.
MORE INFORMATION
The difference in mapping between 3.1 and 3.0 involves the characters
in the extended ANSI set between 128-159. Windows version 3.1 maps the
extended characters between 128-159, whereas Windows 3.0 does not.
When a file is opened, Windows assumes that the filename is an ANSI
character string for the base ANSI character set and a special
conversion is made to address the extended character set. Some
applications also do the conversion themselves. If the conversion is
done twice, the file cannot be opened.
This extra character support is important for international
interaction, as these characters are fundamental characters in most
European alphabets.
This problem has always occurred for the characters 160 and above. It
is more noticeable with Windows 3.1 due to the extensive use of the
characters 128 through 159. However, removing this support from
Windows 3.1 would only lessen the occurrence of this problem, not
solve it.
| Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 10/13/2003 |
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| Keywords: | KB82569 |
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