Complete List of forbidden file and folder names for windows

Question

On Windows file names like com1.txt or lpt1.txt are forbidden. Is there a list of all forbidden file and folder names on windows (or forbidden chars in the file and folder n

Answer 1

The list of invalid characters is:

• < (less than)
• > (greater than)
• : (colon)
• " (double quote)
• / (forward slash)
• \ (backslash)
• | (vertical bar or pipe)
• ? (question mark)
• * (asterisk)

Plus characters 1 to 31

Source

But you should use System.IO.Path.GetInvalidFileNameChars and System.IO.Path.GetInvalidPathChars (or their equivalents) as recommended by FlipScript as a) it's neater and b) means that if the list ever changes you won't have to modify your application.

Answer 2

A list of reserved device names:

http://www.blindedbytech.com/2006/11/16/forbidden-file-and-folder-names-on-windows/

Answer 3

You didn't mention what platform you are using, but in .Net, you can use:

System.IO.Path.GetInvalidFileNameChars

and

System.IO.Path.GetInvalidPathChars

To return invalid file name and path characters.