Definition: Win File names

Starting with Windows 95, Windows supports file and folder names up to 255 characters in length. See Win Short file names.

File extensions are attached to the file name with a dot, and dots can be placed within the file name. For example, letters to friends.pat.sue.sam.doc is a valid name, and the .doc is treated as the extension, because it comes at the end. Following are the valid characters in a Windows file/folder name. See extension.