Mac / *nix Filenames
on Windows

Please note that this docmentation applies to FileBoss V4 which will be released in September/October 2021

What are Mac / *nix / iOS filename characters

The Apple Mac operating system (iOS), along with Unix based systems and some other computer systems, allow characters in filenames that are illegal in the Windows world (these are listed in the table below).

But these files can still be stored on Windows Servers, NAS systems and other storage media that can be accessed by both Windows and Apple computers creating a real headache for System Administrators and Windows users who will see strange characters (typically a dot, a question mark, or a bar) for every character Windows considers illegal.

And, to turn the headache into a migrain some specialized file storage systems will not allow these file names at all.

FileBoss takes the hassle out of working with Mac filenames on Windows systems with the following tools and features.

• Viewing Mac filenames normally in both Explore and Virtual Folder tabs
• Viewing Mac filenames using meta-codes for the illegal characters e.g. <?>
• Searching based on filenames can now include searching for special Mac characters such as the backslash, slash and double quote marks (just to name a few)
• A quick way to search for all filenames containing Mac characters
• The ability to convert Mac characters into other characters or strings for Windows Compatibility (or just delete them), either through FileBoss's traditional search and replace renaming routine or a new renaming routine which can replace all Mac characters at once.
• Mac characters can be replaced (and yes, even added to filenames, if you dare) during inline editing (F2) of filenames.
• A special renaming routine to remove or change all of these characters at one time.