Win32 File API MoveFile function

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Moves an existing file or a directory, including its children.

To specify how to move the file, use the MoveFileEx or MoveFileWithProgress function.

To perform this operation as a transacted operation, use the MoveFileTransacted function.

Syntax

BOOL MoveFile(    
LPCTSTR lpExistingFileName,    
LPCTSTR lpNewFileName  
);  

Parameters

lpExistingFileName

The current name of the file or directory on the local computer.

In the ANSI version of this function, the name is limited to MAX_PATH characters. To extend this limit to 32,767 wide characters, call the Unicode version of the function and prepend "\?" to the path. For more information, see Naming a File.

lpNewFileName

The new name for the file or directory. The new name must not already exist. A new file may be on a different file system or drive. A new directory must be on the same drive.

In the ANSI version of this function, the name is limited to MAX_PATH characters. To extend this limit to 32,767 wide characters, call the Unicode version of the function and prepend "\?" to the path. For more information, see Naming a File.

Return Value

If the function succeeds, the return value is nonzero.

If the function fails, the return value is zero. To get extended error information, call GetLastError.

Remarks

The MoveFile function will move (rename) either a file or a directory (including its children) either in the same directory or across directories. The one caveat is that the MoveFile function will fail on directory moves when the destination is on a different volume.

If a file is moved across volumes, MoveFile does not move the security descriptor with the file. The file will be assigned the default security descriptor in the destination directory.

The MoveFile function coordinates its operation with the link tracking service, so link sources can be tracked as they are moved.

In Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, this function is supported by the following technologies.