Q130598: Cannot Create Folder or 8.3 Filename in All Upper Case

Article: Q130598
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): 4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbenv kbui win95
Last Modified: 08-AUG-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows 95 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows 98 
- Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

A file or folder that you created using all uppercase letters is not displayed
with all uppercase letters in Windows Explorer, on the desktop, or in
Windows-based programs.

CAUSE
=====

For readability purposes, Windows displays the names of files and folders with
only the first letter capitalized.

RESOLUTION
==========

To resolve this behavior, use either of the following methods:

Method 1
--------

To create a file name that will be displayed in all uppercase letters, include an
extended character (such as a comma or space) in the filename. This creates a
file name that does not adhere to the 8.3 standard, and causes Windows to
preserve the capitalization of the filename as you typed it.

For example, if you create a file called FILENAME.EXT, the file name is displayed
as Filename.ext. However, if you create a file called FILENAM,.EXT, the file
name is displayed as FILENAM,.EXT. The comma in the file name causes the file
name to be read as a long filename.

If you create a file name using mixed uppercase and lowercase letters, the case
of the individual letters is preserved. For example, FileName.Ext is displayed
as you created it.

Method 2
--------

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Folders & Icons.

2. Click the View tab.

3. Under Files And Folders, click the Allow All Uppercase Names check box to
  select it, and then click OK.

If "Allow All Uppdercase Names" is not available on Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0,
you may need to install the Windows Desktop Update shell. This components was
included with Internet Explorer 4. For information on adding the Windows Desktop
Update, please see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

  Q165659 How to Add or Remove Windows Desktop Update

STATUS
======

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION
================

The MS-DOS 8.3 file name standard describes file and folder names that contain a
maximum of eight characters and an optional extension with a maximum of three
characters. The MS-DOS 8.3 file name standard does not allow extended characters
(such as commas or spaces). In Windows, long file names can include up to 250
characters, and can include extended characters such as commas or spaces.

MS-DOS, by default, converts all the characters in file names and directory names
to uppercase characters. Because Windows cannot determine whether a file or
folder was created with a previous operating system or was intentionally created
with all uppercase characters, it was decided for readability purposes to have
Windows display all 8.3 file names with only the first letter capitalized.

For example, if you create a file called FILENAME.EXT in MS-DOS, the file name
appears in MS-DOS and Windows 3.x as FILENAME.EXT. In Windows 95 and Windows NT,
the same file appears as Filename.ext in Windows Explorer, on the desktop, and
in Windows-based programs.

Note that when you view files in a Windows 95 or Windows NT MS-DOS session, you
see two file names for each file. The first file name is an 8.3 alias and the
second file name is the long file name.

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbenv kbui win95 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWin95search kbWin98search kbWin98SEsearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin98 kbWin98SE
Version           : :4.0

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.