Making an folder end with a dot

[detected]

Hi, there is a little trick, making an AUTORUN.INF folder with in that folder a folder, ending with a dot..

This makes the folder not valid, wich makes it unable to use/delete it. Perfect for disabling the autorun.inf virus.

How do I create a folder ending with a dot?

Whatever I try, AutoIt keeps creating a normal folder, ignoring the dot.

Thnx in advance

[Dampe]

#include <Process.au3>

$tVal = _MakeDir (@ScriptDir & '\.test')
If @error Then
    MsgBox (48, "Error", "Directory could not be made.")
EndIf

Func _MakeDir($sDir)
    
    _RunDOS ("mkdir " & '"' & $sDir & '"')
    If @error Then
        SetError (1)
        Return -1
    Else
        Return 1
    EndIf
    
EndFunc

I believe it can only be done through the command line

[Ascend4nt]

Dampe, you put a dot before the foldername, not after.

@detected - I don't believe it's possible. Technically, foldernames without an extension are 'seen' as ending in 'dot'. Any filenames or foldernames with trailing dots and/or spaces are truncated to the last non-whitespace non-dot character. I've done a number of experiments with this - through explorer, AutoIT, and the command prompt. I just don't think what you're looking to do is possible.

But then, I've been proven wrong before..

[martin]

#include <Process.au3>

$tVal = _MakeDir (@ScriptDir & '\.test')
If @error Then
    MsgBox (48, "Error", "Directory could not be made.")
EndIf

Func _MakeDir($sDir)
    
    _RunDOS ("mkdir " & '"' & $sDir & '"')
    If @error Then
        SetError (1)
        Return -1
    Else
        Return 1
    EndIf
    
EndFunc

I believe it can only be done through the command line

Making a folder which ends in '.' using the command prompt doesn't work on my XP SP3.

I believe that if you have an Apple computer on your network which can write to your folder then the Apple can create a folder which ends with '.'. Maybe other OS's can as well. If the folder name is longer than 8 characters you can remove it by renaming it from the command prompt using the 8-character name and then you can delete it. To see the short folder names from the command prompt you can use

Dir /AD /x

[detected]

Dampe, you put a dot before the foldername, not after.

@detected - I don't believe it's possible. Technically, foldernames without an extension are 'seen' as ending in 'dot'. Any filenames or foldernames with trailing dots and/or spaces are truncated to the last non-whitespace non-dot character. I've done a number of experiments with this - through explorer, AutoIT, and the command prompt. I just don't think what you're looking to do is possible.

But then, I've been proven wrong before..

It is possible

I just can't find out how they do it

Maybe by adding an invalid character after the dot? (You know,... The ones that end out becomming a square)

But how do I get that character? I know that there are some characters that are invisible if you add them in a file/foldername!

Edited March 2, 2009 by detected

[James]

I don't know how that happens actually. This is interesting :hmm:

[detected]

I don't know how that happens actually. This is interesting :hmm:

They do it so the autorun.inf virus cannot overwrite the AUTORUN.INF folder..

When you try to rename or remove the folder you get a error that it's not a valid folder.

Really nice technique, can't find it anywhere on the internet!

Or maybe I'm just using the wrong words to search for it

[Dampe]

Dampe, you put a dot before the foldername, not after.

@detected - I don't believe it's possible. Technically, foldernames without an extension are 'seen' as ending in 'dot'. Any filenames or foldernames with trailing dots and/or spaces are truncated to the last non-whitespace non-dot character. I've done a number of experiments with this - through explorer, AutoIT, and the command prompt. I just don't think what you're looking to do is possible.

But then, I've been proven wrong before..

Hah.. I just realised this now my bad.

Making a folder which ends in '.' using the command prompt doesn't work on my XP SP3.

I believe that if you have an Apple computer on your network which can write to your folder then the Apple can create a folder which ends with '.'. Maybe other OS's can as well. If the folder name is longer than 8 characters you can remove it by renaming it from the command prompt using the 8-character name and then you can delete it. To see the short folder names from the command prompt you can use

Dir /AD /x

After noticing I stupidly didn't read the original post properly I attempted to alter the function I wrote, and no deal on SP2 for a . at the end.

[lewcamino]

Hah.. I just realised this now >_< my bad.

After noticing I stupidly didn't read the original post properly I attempted to alter the function I wrote, and no deal on SP2 for a . at the end.

I know this is a bit old but I stumbled on it and thought I would answer.

echo Hi > "\\?\C:\File with Dots..."

mkdir "\\?\C:\Folder with Dots..."

[Mobius]

I know this is a bit old but I stumbled on it and thought I would answer.

echo Hi > "\\?\C:\File with Dots..."

mkdir "\\?\C:\Folder with Dots..."

>_< genius.... nice find lewcamino.

working with files and folders like this is tricky, but not impossible.

Edited August 25, 2009 by Mobius