Annoyances.org - re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (Windows 98 Discussion Forum)


Home » Windows 98 Discussion Forum » Message 1038065911	Search \| Help \| Home

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

Written in response to:: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (Henry: Friday, November 22, 2002 at 8:14 pm)

Responses to this message:
re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (Kenny Leong: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 10:26 am)

re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (Moskaluk: Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 4:27 pm)

All messages in this thread [show all]

Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (Henry: Fri, Nov 22, 2002, 8:14 pm)

re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (Gary: Fri, Nov 22, 2002, 9:40 pm)

re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (Henry: Fri, Nov 22, 2002, 11:12 pm)

re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (L. H. LOO: Sat, Nov 23, 2002, 6:19 am)

re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (Bob Harris: Sat, Nov 23, 2002, 7:38 am)

re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (Kenny Leong: Wed, May 12, 2004, 10:26 am)

re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (Moskaluk: Sun, Jun 29, 2008, 4:27 pm)

re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (Paul D: Sat, Nov 23, 2002, 7:52 am)

re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (Kenny Leong: Wed, May 12, 2004, 10:16 am)

re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (Lance Hill: Fri, Oct 1, 2004, 7:41 am)

re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (William Ashley: Sat, Apr 9, 2005, 7:12 am)

re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (Lance: Mon, Apr 11, 2005, 2:31 pm)

re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (Kenny Leong: Wed, Jul 27, 2005, 2:20 am)

re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (Ralph Maddox: Mon, Feb 13, 2006, 3:43 pm)

re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (John: Wed, Apr 11, 2007, 1:19 am)

re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (gewg_: Wed, Apr 11, 2007, 11:05 am)

re: Can't copy b/c ''filename or extension is too long'' (KS: Sun, Apr 6, 2008, 11:09 pm)

Return to the Windows 98 Discussion Forum