File Systems

By default, Windows 2000 generates MS-DOS-readable file names on all NTFS volumes for use by 16-bit programs that run under Windows 2000. To improve performance on volumes with many long, similar names, you can change the default value of the NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation registry entry (in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem) to 1 .

Warning

Do not use a registry editor to edit the registry unless you have no alternative. The registry editors bypass the standard safeguards provided by administrative tools. These safeguards prevent you from entering conflicting settings or settings that are likely to degrade performance or damage your system. Editing the registry directly can have serious, unexpected consequences that can prevent the system from starting and require that you reinstall Windows 2000. To configure or customize Windows 2000, use the programs in Control Panel or Microsoft Management Console (MMC) whenever possible.

Windows 2000 does not generate short (8.3) file names for files created by POSIX-based applications on an NTFS volume, regardless of the value of the NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation registry entry. This means that MS-DOS-based and 16-bit Windows-based applications cannot view these file names if they are not valid 8.3 file names. Use standard MS-DOS 8.3 naming conventions if you want to use files that are created by a POSIX application with MS-DOS-based or Windows-based applications.