Cannot Copy File Whose Filename Begins with a Period
Article ID: 135179
Article Last Modified on 11/15/2006
APPLIES TO
This article was previously published under Q135179
SYMPTOMS
When you try to copy a file, if the source or destination is a long
filename that starts with a period (.), you receive the error message
"Path not found."
Note that this problem occurs only if you supply a path to the source or
destination file. For example,
copy c:\path\to\.source destdir
or:
copy source c:\path\to\.dest
CAUSE
This problem occurs because Command.com assumes that any filename
beginning with a period is a directory name, even though long filenames
can begin with a period.
RESOLUTION
To work around this problem, use Windows Explorer to copy the file instead
of typing a COPY command at an MS-DOS prompt. Or, copy the file using its
short filename, and then rename the file.
Keywords: KB135179