Why Is It Impossible to Create a File Named “Con” in Windows?

If you want to change the name of a file to “CON” in Windows, you can do this that it wouldn’t be possible Did you know?

Now you know. Order, What does “CON” mean? and it sheds light on why it cannot be included in file names.

Some names, such as “CON”, are used in the computer’s hardware.

“CON” and some other names from older computer systems in Windows have special meanings. Make sure the computer points to its own devices to communicate with hardware is used and therefore cannot be placed in file or folder names.

If we list special names such as “CON” and their meanings:

• CON: Points to the screen or keyboard
• PRN: Points to printer
• TO: Auxiliary device, usually serial port (legacy port)
• NUL: A device that destroys data
• COM1, COM2: Serial ports (legacy connections)
• LPT1, LPT2: Parallel ports (again, old-school printer connections)

Since all these names we have mentioned are used to interact with the computer’s hardware, when you try to make the same names as file names, Windows trying to get ahead and restricts you from naming folders.

If you think you have to use these names…

Yes, you cannot normally use the names we mentioned as file names, but if you want to use them, there are some technical ways. For example, you can add the \. prefix when entering the file path, but We do not recommend such methods. because it may cause problems in file operations.

Check out our other content that might interest you: