How to Allow Files Starting with Period and No Extension in Windows 2003 Server

Creating files that start with a period and have no extension in Windows 2003 Server can be challenging due to a restriction within the operating system. When you try to create files like .hgignore, Windows prompts an error stating, “You must type a file name.” This can be frustrating, especially for developers or users managing version control with tools like Mercurial.

In this blog post, we will explore how you can bypass this restriction using the command line.

The Problem Defined: Why the Error Occurs

Windows Explorer has a built-in feature that prevents the creation of files that start with a period. This is a common scenario when working with configuration files or specific file types required by various applications.

When you attempt to create a file named .hgignore, the graphical user interface (GUI) of Windows does not recognize the format and throws an error, making it appear to be impossible to create such a file.

The Solution: Using Command Line Interface

Step 1: Open the Command Line

To create files that start with a period, we need to use the Command Prompt (CMD). Here’s how to access it:

1. Click on Start on your Windows desktop.
2. Select Run from the menu.
3. Type cmd in the Run dialog box and press Enter.

Step 2: Navigate to the Desired Directory

Using the Command Prompt, you’ll need to change the directory to the location where you want to create the file. Use the following command:

cd path\to\your\directory

Replace path\to\your\directory with the actual path where you want the file.

Step 3: Creating the File

Once you’re in the desired directory, you can create your file using the echo command. To create a file named .hgignore, type the following command:

echo Hello there! > .hgignore

This command does two things:

• echo Hello there! generates some initial content for the file.
• > redirects the output to a file named .hgignore.

Step 4: Verify the File Creation

To ensure that the file has been created successfully, you can list the files in the directory using:

dir

You should see .hgignore listed among the files in that directory.

Summary

Windows 2003 Server presents a unique challenge when it comes to creating files that start with a period and have no extension. However, by utilizing the command line, you can easily bypass this limitation.

• Use Command Prompt: Access CMD to perform file operations.
• Navigate with cd: Change to the directory where you want to create the file.
• Create File with echo: Use the echo command to generate a file with the desired name.

With this knowledge, you should be able to create .hgignore files or similar without any issues.

If you have any further questions or need clarifications, feel free to leave a comment below!