Unfamiliar filename prefix

Hi, all:

I have a rather unusual question for the group, but wasn't quite sure where to post it:

(REF:Vista Ult x86 SP2 / NIS 2014 v.21.6.0.32)

I've got several files on my comp which contain a prefix that I've had absolutely no luck researching. I have seen this prefix in relation to file names in SFC logs & my ntbtlog. Here are some examples:

Loaded driver \??\C:\Windows\system32\Drivers\SYMEVENT.SYS

Loaded driver \??\C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\NortonData\21.2.0.38\Definitions\IPSDefs\20141006.001\IDSvix86.sys
Loaded driver \??\C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\NortonData\21.2.0.38\Definitions\BASHDefs\20141003.001\BHDrvx86.sys
Loaded driver \??\C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\NortonData\21.2.0.38\Definitions\VirusDefs\20141006.024\NAVEX15.SYS
Loaded driver \??\C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\NortonData\21.2.0.38\Definitions\VirusDefs\20141006.024\NAVENG.SYS

Loaded driver \??\C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\EENGINE\EraserUtilRebootDrv.sys
Loaded driver \??\C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\EENGINE\eeCtrl.sys

Loaded driver \??\C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASKUTIL.SYS
Loaded driver \??\C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASDIFSV.SYS

Loaded driver \??\C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit\mbae.sys

Loaded driver \??\C:\Program Files\RealTemp 3.70\WinRing0.sys

Loaded driver \??\C:\Program Files\EVGA Precision X\RTCore32.sys

Loaded driver \??\C:\Windows\nvflash.sys

Wondering if someone can comment on the "\??\" prefix, as I have never been able to find anything on the web which talks about this.

 

Thanks -