How To Create a CON Folder In Windows

Can you create a folder named "CON” in windows?

The Answer is NO and YES!

Why the answer is NO.
NO because when create a new folder and try to rename it to any one of the above specified names, you know what happens! In Windows XP the folder name automatically changes back to "New Folder” no matter you try any number of times. Where as in Windows Vista/7 when you try to rename the file you get an error message "The specified device name is invalid”.

Why it is not possible to create a folder names CON?

Before we proceed further, let me tell you a small secret you can’t even create a folder named

CON, PRN, AUX, NUL, COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, COM5, COM6, COM7, COM8, COM9, LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, LPT4, LPT5,
LPT6, LPT7, LPT8, and LPT9.and many others.

YES the reason you can’t create a folder with these names is because these are reserved keywords used by DOS. The below list is taken from Microsoft’s website shows a list of reserved keywords in DOS.

NAME - FUNCTION
CON - Key board and display.
PRN - System list device, usually a parallel port.
AUX - Auxiliary Device, usually a serial port.
CLOCK$ - System real-time clock.
NUL - Bit-bucket device.
A: - Z: - Drive letters.
COM1 - First serial communication port.
LPT1 - First parallel printer port.
LPT2 - Second Parallel printer port.
LPT3 - Third Parallel printer port.
COM2 - Second serial communication port.
COM3 - Third serial communication port.
COM4 - Fourth serial communication port.


If you try creating a folder with any of these names, the name automatically changes back to the default "New Folder”.
And this is what has caused the confusion. Instead of automatically renaming the folder, had an explanatory warning message popped up.

Yes we can create a folder named CON.


There is actually a way to create a folder named CON, or any other name from the above list of reserved keywords. This can be done through command prompt. But it is advisable not to do so, as it might result in your system becoming unstable.
To create a folder named CON, go to command prompt and type "MD \\.\D:\CON” (without quotes). This will create a folder named CON in D:. See the screen-shot below.(see the folder at the bottom)

You cannot delete this folder by normal delete. To delete the folder, again go to command prompt and type

"RD \\.\D:\CON” without quotes. See the screen-shot below.(see the folder is gone now)

I’ll again recommend you not to try this on your system, as it might become unstable. In case
you can’t stop yourself, don’t do it on a drive on which Windows is installed (generally C:).
So next time if any one tells you that we cannot rename a folder to con the create it and show
them.