re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long''
Saturday, November 23, 2002 at 7:38 am
Windows 98 Annoyances Discussion Forum
Posted by Bob Harris
(992 messages posted)
Every system has some limit on file name and/or totoal length of path plus file name.
For windows it is about 256 characters, I think. For some CD file systems it is
smaller. the number is nearly always a multiple of 2 (e.g., 64, 128, 256, etc).
Unfortunately, just because you can create a file or a directory tree, does not mean
that you can work with it. Windows, even up through XP, will permit you make files
and directories that it can not fully use. Microsoft probably calls that a "feature".
We users call it a "bug".
As for your problem, here are a couple of ideas:
(1) Try using WINZIP to squeeze the whole directory structure that you wish to copy
into a *.ZIP file. If it works, that file can be copied. Once copied, you can UNZIP
it, if you wish.
(2) Write a batch script to rename files. In any editor create a file named something
like NAMEX.BAT. Do not choose a name that is the same as a system command! Use
DIR to get a list of files, then set up a bunch of lines in the batch file like RENAME
long.xxx short.xxx, where long.xxx is the very long name and short.xxx is a shorter
name. the shorter name can be greater than 8.3.
(3) Use windows explorer to shorten the name of a few directories in the too-long
path/file.
(4) Download CKNAME, free from http://www.musicsucks.com/CKSoft/index.htm. It can
rename many files easily through a simple windows interface.
On Friday, November 22, 2002 at 8:14 pm, Henry wrote:
>I've been trying to move a folder from my HD onto a DVD or Zip. The folder contains
>several layers of other folders (some of the folders as well as the files can have
>names over 20 letters wrong). I'm using 98SE. When I try to copy the folder,
>I keep getting an error message that says the "filename ... is too long". ScanDisk
>also doesn't seem to like them. However the files seem to work just fine on the
HD.
> How do I get rid of this error message so that I can move these files & folders?
>Thanks!
>
>Henry
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 |  | re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (Bob Harris: Sat, Nov 23, 2002, 7:38 am) |
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