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Retrieves the file type of the specified file.
Syntax
DWORD GetFileType(
[in] HANDLE hFile
);
Parameters
[in] hFile
A handle to the file.
Return value
The function returns one of the following values.
| Return code/value | Description |
|---|---|
|
The specified file is a character file, typically an LPT device or a console. |
|
The specified file is a disk file. |
|
The specified file is a socket, a named pipe, or an anonymous pipe. |
|
Unused. |
|
Either the type of the specified file is unknown, or the function failed. |
You can distinguish between a "valid" return of FILE_TYPE_UNKNOWN and its return due to a calling error (for example, passing an invalid handle to GetFileType) by calling GetLastError.
If the function worked properly and FILE_TYPE_UNKNOWN was returned, a call to GetLastError will return NO_ERROR.
If the function returned FILE_TYPE_UNKNOWN due to an error in calling GetFileType, GetLastError will return the error code.
Remarks
In Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, this function is supported by the following technologies.
| Technology | Supported |
|---|---|
| Server Message Block (SMB) 3.0 protocol | Yes |
| SMB 3.0 Transparent Failover (TFO) | Yes |
| SMB 3.0 with Scale-out File Shares (SO) | Yes |
| Cluster Shared Volume File System (CsvFS) | Yes |
| Resilient File System (ReFS) | Yes |
Requirements
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum supported client | Windows XP [desktop apps | UWP apps] |
| Minimum supported server | Windows Server 2003 [desktop apps | UWP apps] |
| Target Platform | Windows |
| Header | fileapi.h (include Windows.h) |
| Library | Kernel32.lib |
| DLL | Kernel32.dll |