Using long filenames in Windows 95
A long filename is any filename that exceeds the standard DOS 11 character (8.3) format. Long filenames may use up to 255 characters. The maximum size of a long filename plus its path must not exceed 260 characters. It is recommended that the name not exceed 50-75 characters, in case the file is moved and the pathname increases. The following characters, which are NOT legal for MS-DOS 6.22 or earlier, may be used in a long filename: + . : = [ ]
Long filenames are NOT case sensitive. For example, THISISALONGFILENAME is considered by Windows 95 to be the same as ThisIsaLongFilename. They do, however, preserve case (that is, they are saved with the same capitalization they are initially assigned).
MS-DOS automatically assigns an 11-character alias to any long filename. The alias is composed of the first 6 letters of the filename plus ~<n> (where <n> is a consecutive number if this filename is already in use) with a 3-character extension.
EXAMPLE: LONGFI~1 is assigned for the first file named LongFileName, and LONGFI~2 is assigned for a second file named LongFileName.
An alias cannot be designated by the user. To view the MS-DOS alias associated with a file, right-click on the file in Windows Explorer, My Computer, or the desktop, and select 'Properties' from the pop-up menu. The alias appears in the 'MS-DOS Name' box on the 'General' tab page.
The following are examples of valid filenames for Windows 95 applications:
MS-DOS name: 12345678.ABC (MS-DOS name)
No limit on extension: 12345678.ABCDEF
Long filename: 123456789012345678901234567890123456789.ABC
Long filename and long extension: 1234567890123456789012345678901234567890.ABCDEF