There are also several other edge cases to be taken care of:

    Python 2.7.2 (default, Jun 12 2011, 15:08:59) [MSC v.1500 32 bit (Intel)] on win
    32
    Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
    >>> import os
    >>> os.listdir(r'\\?\C:\Python27/')
    Traceback (most recent call last):
      File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
    WindowsError: [Error 123] The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax i
    s incorrect: '\\\\?\\C:\\Python27/*.*'
    >>> os.listdir(r'\\?\C:/Python27\Lib')
    Traceback (most recent call last):
      File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
    WindowsError: [Error 3] The system cannot find the path specified: '\\\\?\\C:/Py
    thon27\\Lib/*.*'