What is a file name on Windows system?

A file name, also becoming one word now: filename, on a Windows system is a string that identifies a storage resource that you can retrieve data from it or store data in in.

On Windows system, a file name contains multiple components listed below:

• Drive letter - Used to identify on which disk drive this file is located. If not provided, the current disk drive is used. If provided, the drive letter must be followed by ":".
• File path - Used to identify in which directory this file is located. The file patch can be provided in relative format or absolute format. If not provided, the current directory is used. If provided, the drive letter must be followed by "\".
• File base name - Used to identity the file within the directory. The file base name is always required.
• File extension - Used to identity the type of resource this file is referring to. If not provided, the calling program will provide a default. If provided, the drive letter must be prefixed with ".".

For example, file name, "C:\windows\System32\cmd.exe", contains the following components:

Drive letter: C
File path: \windows\System32
File base name: cmd
File extension: exe

⇒ File Name with or without Drive Letter

⇐ File Name and File Path

⇑ File Name and File Path

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