NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2

NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem

Data type Range Default value

REG_DWORD

0 | 1 | 2 | 3

2

Description

Specifies whether NTFS generates a short name in the 8.3 naming convention for long file names and for file names that contain characters from the extended character set. If the value of this entry is 0, then files can have two names: the name that the user specifies and the short name that NTFS generates. If the name that the user specifies conforms to the 8.3 naming convention, then NTFS does not generate a short name.

Changing this value does not change the file, but it does change the way that NTFS displays and manages the file. Also, files are named according to whatever rule is specified by this entry at the time of their creation; changing this entry does not alter the names of existing files.

Value

Meaning

0

NTFS creates short file names. This setting enables applications that cannot process long file names and computers that use differentcode pages to find the files.

1

NTFS does not create short file names. Although this setting increases file performance, applications that cannot process long file names, and computers that use different code pages, might not be able to find the files.

2

NTFS sets the 8.3 naming convention creation on a per volume basis.

3

NTFS disables 8dot3 name creation on all volumes except the system volume.

Modifying the 8.3 naming convention settings on your system

To disable/enable 8.3 naming convention, users can issue the set command as follows:

C:\Windows\system32>fsutil 8dot3name set /?
usage : set [0 through 3] | [<Volume Path> 1 | 0]

When a volume is specified the operation updates the on disk flag.

Note

This operation is only meaningful if the registry value is set to 2.

Sample commands

The following command disables 8dot3 name creation on all volumes:

fsutil 8dot3name set 1

The following command disables 8dot3 name creation on the C drive:

fsutil 8dot3name set C: 1

Activation Method

If you are using Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2003 R2, you must restart Windows to make changes to this entry effective. If you are using Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2, then you do not have to restart Windows to make the changes to this entry effective.