Microsoft KB Archive/94085

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Cannot Use MS-DOS Reserved Filenames As Document Name

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Q94085

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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, 2.0c

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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 ?

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 ?

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

Cannot Save.  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 &quot;(Copy)&quot; 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

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.