The Technical Writer's Checklist


 
Readable 8.3 Filenames in Windows 95
Modifying the filenaming scheme
Sidebar image map No More Tildes.

By default, Windows 95 stores long filenames as 8.3-character files that include a tilde and a numeric tail.

You can modify Win95 to create readable 8.3-character filenames, such as DGLDATA.DOC instead of DGLDAT~1.DOC. Thus removing the tilde-tail portion of the filename.

To do this:

  1. Back up the Registry
  2. Run RegEdit
  3. Open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
  4. Choose Edit
  5. Choose Find
  6. Search for Win31F

When the Win31FileSystem value appears:

  1. Right-click in the right pane
  2. Select New
  3. Select Binary Value
  4. Type in NameNumericTail
  5. Press Enter twice
  6. Type 00
  7. Press Enter
  8. Close the Registry Editor
  9. Restart the computer

Note: If you have two or more long filenames that share the same first eight letters, Win95 resorts to its tilde-number file naming scheme.

WARNING
If you are unable to reliably backup and reliably restore your system registry, do not proceed with the steps to modify the file naming scheme. Modifications to the system registry and the replacement of system files is serious business. Use these techniques at your own risk.

Subscribe to ITINFO
Receive computing and Internet news & tips
by subscribing to the ITINFO information service.
Type your Internet email address in the form, and click "Subscribe."

DGL publishes Training Expresstm brand computer learning guides in both print and electronic formats. Training Express guides are designed for the way we learn.

Did you know that DGL helps organizations make better use of the Internet? Instant Internet securely connects 50 LAN users to a single Internet access account, and our weekly website activity reports offer 14 pages of demographic information about visitors to your website. See our website for more information.

Advertising details for ITINFO and the DGL.com website, are on our advertising page.

DGL is committed to encouraging technical literacy.

ITINFO is an electronic publication of Damar Group, Ltd., publisher of Training Express computer learning guides. Comments and submissions to info@dgl.com.

Past issues are in the News & Tips section of the website.

updated November 26, 1996
http://dgl.com/dglinfo/1996/dg961126.html

Damar GroupReturn to DGL homepage
Copyright © 1996, Damar Group, Ltd., All Rights Reserved