Enabling Long Path Issues

[LittleChop1986]

Hello all. Please be gentle as I am a newbie here and may be long winded. I tried to find answers to issue and couldn't find an exact resolution. My tech knowledge is all self taught, so please help me understand you by not making the responses too complicated. I am running Windows 11 Home 64-Bit (FYI)

 

(Issue): I am lately more often running into "File Path Too Long" error when I'm just 99% renaming something in a folder or series of subfolders. I'll admit I do have quite a few subfolder paths for some things, but nothing that would ultimately violate the two hundred fifty something charater limit windows explorer has (I think!! :)). I have already went into the Registry and enabled the "Long File Path" and activated the Local Group Policy Editor within Windows 11 Home. There too I enabled the "Long File Path" directory, but it has no embedded policy. But rather a mere preference. As result, there has been no change to resolve the issue. 

 

 (The Curveball): Mostly when I try rename something in its final destination location, I get the error "File Path Too Long." If I rename something by opening it, do a (Save As) giving it its new name in the final destination location, it saves it no problem and I do not get the "File Path Too Long" error. If I move the content to the desktop, do a traditional rename there, then remove it back to the final destination location, again no "File Path Too Long" error. 

 

Any more ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for anyone time.  

[Thomas53]

The easiest method is to simply shorten the names of the directories and possibly the file names themselves.

A couple of examples is use an ampersand instead of the word and, and use (ft. instead of the word feature followed by the name in music files. Ed. instead of Edition.

 

Get creative but be consistent across subjects, The path limit includes the following items:

The path to the disk the file is on, the main directory's name, all sub-directory names, and the name of the file itself (including it's extension).

 

Or, if possible add more main directories and separate the sub-directories into them. 

 

And there's no need to move a directory to rename it.

[LittleChop1986]

Thank you Thomas53. I was afraid of this. This was the only other common demoniator solution I found if all else failed. Thought maybe, frankly hoping, there was an alternate way. Not that any one directory is over lengthy, but I guess combining their overall path can add the characters quicky.

 

What Im still slight confused on, is the things I've already tried should have allowed unlimited overall charaters. Could it be file explorer itself is the culprit? Seems I read somewhere that it could be and third party (file explorer) alternative programs would lift the character restrictions. But I would have a clue which one would be best.

 

Any suggestions?   

[ixi_your_face]

The problem you're facing is the Windows path char limit. iirc explorer.exe has a hardcoded limit of 255 chars as you've noted. As soon as you cross this value, it will start to complain. Enabling "long-paths" won't work as it's only turning on the ability for them to be used which explorer.exe doesn't respect.

 

The only real solution is to consense your directories or split them somehow.

 

Do you have a full path example which you know is triggering the issue?

[LittleChop1986]

• ixi_your_face..... No I do not have a full path example. I admit I do have some paths with many subfolders within a folder for organization and not very good with name appreviations. But more and more, it has become a random situation. File paths that I know DARN GOOD AND WELL isnt past the 255 limit, it gives me that error. But then again, once I edit the file or save the file to the desktop, then move it to its final destination. All is well in the world and I do not get any errors.  Im looking into 3rd party programs that can help me better organize my file system and side set File Explores limitations. Any Recommendations? Currently, my "My Documents" folder alone consists of around 2400 Folders, 24500 Files, all equaling around 150GBs of storage. 

[LittleChop1986]

I think?? (crossing my fingers) I just may have solved my own issue accidently. In short for all of us Windows people. Windows 11 hasn't been the nicest to us despite Windows 10 phasing out soon. That said, when I installed Windows 11 on my new system, naturally Microsoft wants to bombard the Users with using their products ONLY!! Problem Seems to be......(ONE DRIVE). Which was the first thing I disabled and unsynced with my account. Well APPARENTLY..... though you disable One Drive and uninstall it from you computer, Microsoft STILL has incorporated a "Fail Safe" within Windows. Take your "Documents" folder for example. There is actually 2 separate ones where they look one and the same. Though "One Drive" may be disabled, unsynced and such, there is STILL an "OFFLINE" link embedded into Windows that by default, your primary "Documents" folder is not local, but rather routed through this Offline link/folder of One Drive.  What does this mean? This means the "Documents" folder path characters is already 40% used before any new folder or subfolders names and/or names created.

 

Solution: (Part 1) You have to first log back into your One Drive account that is linked with your Windows Software email. Then you must check all the boxes "ON" to tell One Drive you want to sync everything. THEN, wait about 2 mins. Next you will start unchecking all the boxes one by one, confirming you do NOT want One drive to sync with the file or folder. Lastly, then you have to go to the One Drive Settings in the upper right gear and select to "Unlink" One Drive from your Windows account email.

 

***WARNING*** DO NOT PANIC should things like desktop icons suddenly disappear or your Documents, Downloads, Video, or Music Folders are empty. THEY ARE NOT GONE (SEE BELOW)

 

Solution: (Part 2) You will need to open 2 File Explorer windows. The first window, find the "One Drive" drop down arrow in the bottom left panel where you will see similar folders like Desktop, Documents, Downloads and more. Then navigate in the second window in the upper left column, starting with Desktop. Then one folder at a time, cut and paste all the folder contents from the "One Drive" folders (First window) to the "Local" matching corresponding folder (Second Window). DO NOT PANIC if during this transition some of your things like desktop shortcut disappear or arent where they supposed to be.....You just have to rearrange or sort something again.

 

INSTANTANEOUSLY drops the file paths by at LEAST 100 charaters. Time will tell. I'll try to keep yall updated!! Thank you to everyone for your kindness. 

 

**NOTE** Within every "LOCAL" folder during this cut and paste phase, each folder will have a "Shortcut" saved inside to route you back to the corresponding "One Drive" Folder. I just deleted them all and later emptied my recycle bin.