For what reason we cannot rename any folders in computer as "CON"?

A Small Interesting Information which circulates via email and online, it is not possible to create a folder named "CON" on a Microsoft Windows based computer.
The message claims that not even Bill Gates or the whole Microsoft "Team" can explain why this might be so.

'Con' was the abbreviation for 'Console'. No need to explain that to a Unix user.
If you try to name a folder using one of these reserved names, the name will automatically revert to the default, generally "New Folder".
Moreover, if you try to use a reserved name to name a file such as a Notepad or Microsoft Word document you will generally receive an error message similar to the following:

It is in fact perfectly true that you cannot create a folder named "CON", nor can you rename an existing folder to "CON".
However, there is no mystery surrounding this restriction whatsoever.

The "team" at Microsoft, and a great many others besides, know perfectly well why you cannot name a folder "CON". "CON"
and a number of other character strings are in fact reserved names that go back to the days of DOS and cannot be used to name folders or files.

Other reserved names are:
* PRN
* AUX
* NUL
* LPT1
* COM1
* Potential drive letter - A: to Z:


* A number of others If you try to name a folder using one of these reserved names, the name will automatically revert to the default, generally "New Folder".

Moreover, if you try to use a reserved name to name a file such as a Notepad or Microsoft Word document you will generally receive an error message similar to the following:

Reserved name warning Depending on exactly how you save the file, you may instead receive a warning message advising that a file with that name already exists.

However, even if you choose "Yes" to overwrite the existing file, you will still not be allowed* to save the file.


-R.v.KirubaKaran