The filename, directory name or volume label syntax incorrect

Question

I get the following exception:

D:\Try\folder\filename_1_06_09_2014_12:46:18.txt (The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect)

While using timestamp in renaming filename here:

for (int i = 0; i < children.length; i++) { 
    String fileName = new SimpleDateFormat("MM_dd_yyyy_hh:mm:ss").format(new Date());
    copyDirectory(new File(sourceLocation, children[i]), new File(targetLocation, files+"_"+fileName+".txt"));
}

I can't figure it out where I use invalid characters in windows filename. Any suggestions please?

Answer 1

You cannot use colons : to create file in Windows. If you absolutely need the timestamp then you could try to add underscores for them as well.