Is there and harmful effects if the folder or filename has a dot?

[pcwin]

Hello,

Is it ok to have folder or filename that have a dot inside the name? I am just wondering if it will have any problem in future or mess up anything because of the dot. Thanks. I am using Windows 7.

Examples:

folder name: sevenforums.com
file name: sevenforums.com.txt
file name: windows guide from sevenforums.com.png

 

[Brink]

Hello pcwin,

Sure, it fine to have a dot in a folder's name if you like. It won't hurt anything.

 

[pcwin]

How about file name? Is it fine to have a dot in file name?

 

[Computer0304]

It should be. Windows does restrict the following characters: \ / ? : * " > < | Since . is not one of them you should be fine.

 

[Alejandro85]

There is no problem at all in putting dots in a filename, the only thing to watch out is the last one, as the extension part is what is typically used to determine file type and hence the default program used to handle the file.

The only known problem is if you want to use a dot as the very first character (it's a Linux convention for hidden files). There is a bug in Windows Explorer introduced in Windows 95, and yet unfixed, that it doesn't allows it. Workaround is to use any other program for the rename.

 

[Computer0304]

There is no problem at all in putting dots in a filename, the only thing to watch out is the last one, as the extension part is what is typically used to determine file type and hence the default program used to handle the file.

The only known problem is if you want to use a dot as the very first character (it's a Linux convention for hidden files). There is a bug in Windows Explorer introduced in Windows 95, and yet unfixed, that it doesn't allows it. Workaround is to use any other program for the rename.

Wait, then how come it works for me for putting a dot it the beginning of folder names? Is this a file only thing?

 

[munkyeetr]

Hmm. I can rename files with a leading dot (eg: .hidden.txt), but Windows won't let me name a folder with a leading dot; it throws an error dialog "You must type a file name".

 

[pcwin]

I can name folder with a dot it the beginning if it has a space somewhere in the folder name.
example:
.black cat
.nice blue sky
.big aeroplane

I cannot name folder with a dot it the beginning of there is no space in the folder name.
example:
.black
.sky
.aeroplane

 

[pcwin]

Why do you need to name folders or file name starting with dot?

Usually I have dot in the folder or file name is because it has a domain name or version number in the name.
example:
sevenforums.com manual
drivers from sevenforums.com
software ver 2.1.85
guide on software ver 2.1.85.txt
version 2.3.7 software from sevenforums.com
installation guide from sevenforums.com.pdf
installation guide from sevenforums.com.txt

 

[Computer0304]

Actually, I think the reason why I have some with . in the beginning of the folder name because Minecraft names its folder .minecraft but it is not through Windows Explorer. As long as you don't use Linux, you should be fine.

 

[adamf]

Not harmful but something to be aware of - if you put a known extension after the dot at the end you'll not see it if extensions are hidden.

so sevenforums.com.txt would be seen as sevenforums.com and what some malware does: dangerous_file.jpeg.exe would be seen as dangerous_file.jpeg possibly fooling you into running a program when you think you are opening a picture.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/10570-file-extensions-hide-show.html