How to disable 8.3 file name creation on NTFS partitions

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/121007/how-to-disable-8-3-file-name-creation-on-ntfs-partitions

Applies to: Windows 10 Pro released in July 2015Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition (32-bit x86)Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86) More

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Summary

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The use of 8.3 file names and directories for all long file names and directories on NTFS partitions may decrease directory enumeration performance. An 8.3-compliant file name refers to MS-DOS file-naming conventions.These conventions restrict file names to eight characters and optional extensions to three characters.

This article describes a method of disabling 8.3 file name creation on all NTFS partitions. 

Note: Although disabling 8.3 file name creation increases file performance under Windows, some applications (16-bit, 32-bit, or 64-bit) may not be able to find files and directories that have long file names.

More Information

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Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2012

To disable 8.3 name creation on all NTFS partitions, type fsutil.exe behavior set disable8dot3 1 at an elevated command prompt, and then press Enter.

This operation takes effect immediately (no restart required).

Notes
 
When a volume is not specified, the operation updates the registry value:

• 0 - Enable 8dot3 name creation on all volumes on the system
• 1 - Disable 8dot3 name creation on all volumes on the system
• 2 - Set 8dot3 name creation on a per volume basis
• 3 - Disable 8dot3 name creation on all volumes except the system volume

When a volume is specified, the operation updates the individual volume's on disk flag. This operation is meaningful only if the registry value is set to 2.

• 0 - Enable 8dot3 name creation on this volume
• 1 - Disable 8dot3 name creation on this volume

For more information about FSUTIL.EXE 8dot3name, see the following TechNet article:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff621566.aspx

For more information about the registry setting to disable 8.3 names, see the following TechNet article:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc778996.aspx

Windows XP and Windows Server 2003

To disable 8.3 name creation on all NTFS partitions, type fsutil.exe behavior set disable8dot3 1 at a command prompt, and then press Enter. A restart may not be required, but it is recommended.

Windows 2000 and Windows NT

To disable 8.3 name creation on all NTFS partitions, follow these steps.

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322756 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

1. Start Regedt32.exe and locate the following registry key:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem

2. Select the NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation entry.
   
   
   Note By default, the value for this entry is set to 0.
3. On the Edit menu, click DWORD. Type a value of 1 in the Data field.
4. Click OK and then exit Regedt32.
5. Exit Windows NT, and then shut down your computer.
6. Restart your computer and Windows NT.

NOTE: The change to the NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation registry entry affects only files, folders, and profiles that are created after the change. Files that already exist are not affected.