NO_BACKSLASH_ESCAPES is being ignored - 8.018

[Gordon Haas]

Upgraded to MySql 8.0.18 in a working VB.Net application environment. Started getting syntax errors and realized the new my.ini did not have the critical sql-mode=NO_BACKSLASH_ESCAPES. Added the line to the my.ini file in the sql-mode area but the "directory slashes" are still producing syntax errors. If I remove the slashes the syntax errors go away but I am processing "directory specs" and need this functionality. Does 8.0.18 need something else configured in order to bypass the slash as an escape control? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!