Why can't I use punctuation in a file name?

Lincoln Spector

Lincoln SpectorContributing Editor, PCWorld

When he isn't bicycling, prowling used bookstores, or watching movies, PC World Contributing Editor Lincoln Spector writes about technology and cinema.
More by Lincoln Spector

MLStrand56 complained to the Windows forum about Windows' inability to save file names containing punctuation.

[Email your tech questions to answer@pcworld.com or post them on the PCW Answer Line forum.]

Actually, the problem isn't anywhere near as serious as some might think. Of the 32 punctuation characters available on your keyboard, all but nine can be used in file names.

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Why can't 32-bit Windows access 4GB of RAM?

Lincoln Spector

Lincoln SpectorContributing Editor, PCWorld

When he isn't bicycling, prowling used bookstores, or watching movies, PC World Contributing Editor Lincoln Spector writes about technology and cinema.
More by Lincoln Spector

32-bit processors and operating systems, in theory, can access up to 4GB of memory. So how come Qasim Zaib's PC, with 4GB installed, only sees 3GB?

[Email your tech questions to answer@pcworld.com or post them on the PCW Answer Line forum.]

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What you need to know about accessing the Internet on a smartphone

Lincoln Spector

Lincoln SpectorContributing Editor, PCWorld

When he isn't bicycling, prowling used bookstores, or watching movies, PC World Contributing Editor Lincoln Spector writes about technology and cinema.
More by Lincoln Spector

Robert Harris asked me to explain the technologies and concerns around smartphone Internet access.

[Email your tech questions to answer@pcworld.com or post them on the PCW Answer Line forum.]

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The Malicious Safety OneCare Essential Defender: Straightening out Microsoft's confusing security tools

Lincoln Spector

Lincoln SpectorContributing Editor, PCWorld

When he isn't bicycling, prowling used bookstores, or watching movies, PC World Contributing Editor Lincoln Spector writes about technology and cinema.
More by Lincoln Spector

Microsoft has released a confusing selection of security programs over the years. Deborah Armstrong asked me to make sense of them.

[Email your tech questions to answer@pcworld.com or post them on the PCW Answer Line forum.]

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Wi-Fi vs. Powerline

Lincoln Spector

Lincoln SpectorContributing Editor, PCWorld

When he isn't bicycling, prowling used bookstores, or watching movies, PC World Contributing Editor Lincoln Spector writes about technology and cinema.
More by Lincoln Spector

Charliehendricks281 needs to extend his network across a large house. He asked the Networking forum if a Powerline solution would make more sense than wireless.

[Email your tech questions to answer@pcworld.com or post them on the PCW Answer Line forum.]

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