---
title: "Breaking: #73516 - GeneralUtility::getFileAbsFileName allows for typo3/ maindir specific paths"
manual: "TYPO3 Core Changelog"
version: "main"
permalink: "https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/changelog:breaking-73516"
source: "Changelog/8.0/Breaking-73516-GeneralUtilitygetFileAbsFileNameAllowsForTypo3MaindirSpecificPaths.rst"
modified: "2026-09-15T10:46:36+00:00"
---

# Breaking: #73516 - GeneralUtility::getFileAbsFileName allows for typo3/ maindir specific paths

See [forge#73516](https://forge.typo3.org/issues/73516)

## Description

The PHP method `GeneralUtility::getFileAbsFileName` used for resolving absolute paths has the option removed to only
resolve relative paths or paths to the typo3/ main directory.

## Impact

The two removed parameters are not evaluated anymore, thus always resolving any path, and additionally
always relative to the `PATH_site` variable (the installations' base directory).

## Affected Installations

Any installation with an extension using the removed options to fetch data relative to the typo3/ directory.

## Migration

Use the `EXT:` syntax everywhere to resolve files within extension directories. If the path relative to the
typo3/ main directory is explicitly needed, the constant `TYPO3_mainDir` can be used as a prefix to the file.