Introduction
Here I will highlight some tips/tricks about windows, which might be known to some and not to some. :)
I will post this as I've it on my blog. Using the What/Why/How approach :happy:
Cannot create a folder with name as CON, PRN...
What - Why can’t I create a folder in Windows with the following names CON, PRN, AUX, NUL, LPT1, LPT2, COM1, COM2....???
If I create using windows, it again renames it to
New Folder.
If I create using command prompt, it gives the error:
The directory name is invalid.
Some people who doesn't know about this say that this is a bug in windows and even Microsoft is unable to solve it :lol:
Why - You aren't allowed to create a folder with names that are the same as the ones that have been used for various devices on a PC since DOS era.
In DOS, "CON" refers to "Console", "PRN" refers to "Printer" and LPT1, LPT2, COM1, COM2 refers to different communication ports.
How - There happens to be a workaround for this.
To create a folder named "CON" in Windows, open Command Prompt and type the following:
mkdir \\.\D:\CON (This will create a folder named CON in the D drive)
You may be able to view the folder using Windows Explorer, but you will not be able delete it or Copy/Paste files into it.
But yes, you can create new files in it.
To delete this folder, type the following code in command prompt. rmdir \\.\D:\CON
Alternate keyboard shortcuts for Windows Security functions
What - Alternate keyboard shortcuts for Windows Security functions (Ctrl + Alt + Del)
How - 1] Lock Computer
What do you normally do to lock the running windows session?
Press the key combination Ctrl + Alt + Del, and then select "Lock Computer" (Note: This only works when the computer is in domain)
In Windows XP, you can do the same thing, just by pressing the key combination: (win key)+ L
How - 2] Task Manager
You can execute Task Manager by either of the following options:
1) Press the key combination Ctrl + Alt + Del, and then select ‘Task Manager’ (Note: This only works when the computer is in domain)
2) Right Click on Taskbar and select ‘Task Manager’
3) Press the key combination Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Shortcut to Windows Explorer
What - How do I create a shortcut to a folder, which opens in “Windows Explorer” (not in My Computer)?
How - Right Click in the blank area on the desktop (or inside any other folder if you want), Click on New -> Shortcut and then paste any of the below line in the following window, press Next and give any desired name to the shortcut.
Note: Replace the text in Red with your folder path
1] %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,
folder_path
e.g.
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,d:\data
This opens the folder “data” in Windows Explorer.
2] %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /e, /select,
folder_path
e.g.
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /e, /select,d:\data
This opens d: in Windows Explorer and selects the folder “data”
3]
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe
This opens “My Documents” in Windows Explorer
4]
%SystemRoot%\explorer.scf
This opens c: in Windows Explorer.
