Cannot Use MS-DOS Reserved Filenames As Document Name

Last reviewed: February 6, 1998
Article ID: Q94085
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 1.0, 1.1, 1.1a, 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, and 2.0c

SUMMARY

You cannot use reserved MS-DOS filenames as Word for Windows document filenames.

If you attempt to give a Word document file an MS-DOS reserved filename, the following message appears:

Word for Windows, version 2.0

   Do you want to replace existing <filename>?

If you choose the Yes button, the following error message occurs:

   You cannot save while the file is in use by another process.
   Try saving with a new name.

Word for Windows, versions 1.x

   Do you want to replace existing <filename.doc>?

If you choose the Yes button, the following error message occurs:

   Cannot Save. <filename.doc> is locked.

MORE INFORMATION

The following MS-DOS reserved filenames cause the above error messages in Word for Windows:

   CLOCK$
   CON
   AUX
   COMn (where n = 1-4)
   NUL

Word for Windows allows you to save a document using the following MS-DOS reserved filenames:

   LPTn (where n = 1-3)
   PRN

If you use these filenames, however, Word saves the file as a copy, and "(Copy)" appears in the Word title bar. If you close the file and then try to reopen it, the filename appears on file menu in the MRU (most recently used) list, but it does not appear in the File Name list in the Open dialog box. If you choose the filename from the File menu, the following error message occurs:

   Word cannot find <path and filename>

If you save a document using LPTn or PRN as filenames and then close the file, you cannot reopen it.

Workaround

Give the file a name that is not reserved by MS-DOS.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Word for Windows User's Guide," version 2.0, page 77

"Microsoft MS-DOS User's Guide and Reference," version 5.0, pages 69- 70


KBCategory:
KBSubcategory:
Additional query words: 6.0 2.0 2.0a 2.0a-CD 2.0b 2.0c
winword winword2 lpt1 lpt1: lpt2 lpt2: lpt3 lpt3: com1 com1: com2 com2:
word6 com3
com3: com4
com4: operating system

Version : 1.x 2.x 6.0 6.0a 6.0c
Platform : WINDOWS


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.

Last reviewed: February 6, 1998
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.