Windows – What does the following notation mean: \\?\c:\ mean

command linewindows 7wmic

I recall hearing someone mention something about de-referencing a path but de-referencing wasn't explained and I don't know what it is.

Best Answer

It's an extended length path. See MSDN: Naming Files, Paths, and Namespaces

In the Windows API (with some exceptions discussed in the following paragraphs), the maximum length for a path is MAX_PATH, which is defined as 260 characters. [...]

The Windows API has many functions that also have Unicode versions to permit an extended-length path for a maximum total path length of 32,767 characters. [...] To specify an extended-length path, use the "\\?\" prefix. For example, "\\?\D:\very long path".

Basically, \\?\ tells the Windows API to pass the path directly to the file system without further manipulations. In addition to extending the available length, it disables the automatic conversion of / to \ and also allows you to use the reserved file names . and ... See the article linked above for details.

Related Solutions

Linux – What does an arrow (“->”) symbol mean on the command line

In the MySQL command-line tool that means the tool expects your input to continue on the next line. Here it is waiting for the destination path.

Common "full" SQL commands are written with indents, which is supported at the command line. You would say something like

SELECT
    `users`.*
FROM
    `users`
WHERE
    `users`.`is_active` = 1 AND
    `users`.`age` < 13
ORDER BY
    `users`.`username`

Windows – What does “@path\” mean on the command line

@path - returns the full path of the file,

In general is the removal of the Log Folders IIS server, but why?)))

run at cmd (Windows 2008 R2):

Forfiles -p C:\inetpub\logs\LogFiles\W3SVC1 -m *.log -d -30 -c "cmd /C @echo @path"
Forfiles -p C:\inetpub\logs\LogFiles\W3SVC1 -m *.log -c "cmd /C @echo @path"

run at cmd Windows 7 as sample:

Forfiles -p %windir%\inf -m *.inf -c "cmd /C @echo @path"
Forfiles -p %windir%\inf -m *.inf -d -30 -c "cmd /C @echo @path"

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Linux – What does an arrow (“->”) symbol mean on the command line

Windows – What does “@path\” mean on the command line

Related Question