Delete long files / Filenames ( 260) Characters

Written by Allen White on September 13, 2010. Posted in General

Problem

You have identified a file name or folder that is over 260 characters, any windows OS /file system will not be able to read this, it will display it BUT you cannot modify it. You could truncate the long filename with a util or do the following.

Resolution

The fix is quite simple.
Drop to a command prompt and go to the directory that the file is in.
say the file is called” this is a really long file and i cannot delete it as it is over 260 characters etc etc”

Then simply enter Del “this is a ” *.*

Del “this is a ” *.*

As the file is in speech marks and your using the Wildcard (*) it will delete the file.

If you find a directory the is over 260 characters then use the command..

RMDIR “this is a really long folder”*.*

For sub folders that are full use RMDIR /s “this is a really long folder”*.*

RMDIR “this is a really long folder”*.*</p> <p>RMDIR /s “this is a really long folder”*.*

Tags: Comand line, dlete long file names, long file name removal

Allen White

Allen is an IT Consultant and holds the following accreditations. MCSA, MCSE, MCTS, MCITP, CCA, CCSP, VCP 4,5, 6 and HP ASE, AIS - Network Infrastructure.

Comments (2)

cristopher

March 7, 2016 at 4:34 pm | #

Use Long Path Tool, Long Path Tool can simplify and probably end your problems in unlocking, managing and renaming files that appear to have a long filename.

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Richard Biga

June 16, 2020 at 9:26 pm | #

I would like to suggest you, try LongPathTool program to resolve this issue.
This tool is very helpful to resolve the issue.

Reply