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SalonenSamuli

A workaround the "path file is too long" problem

Hey,

I am currently experiencing some problems with the file explorer's max path lenght limit.

I have a folder structure that is pretty deep with about 1 million files in it, so the path lenghts get pretty long after a while.

Currently, I am experiencing two different types of problems:

Sometimes I can't see files, that are behind paths over 260 characters, but I can access them from sharepoint.com. This has been partially fixed, I don't know how, but for example I can now see into some files under long file paths.
The other problem, occurs when I am able to entry the folder with a long path: for example, if there is an excel file, I can't open it and it gives me the following error message: "Cannot open the file because path lenght is over 259 characters." But whenever I access the file from sharepoint.com, excel allows me to open it normally.

Is there a way I could, 1. see the files under these long paths, and 2. open and edit these files?

I have tried changing the regedit max_path to 1 and edited the group policy, which allowed me for example to open some paths using Adobe Reader. Thanks!

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JoseBeltre

Independent Advisor

Hi Salonen, my name is Jose. I'm glad to assist you with this issue.

Many programs like Adobe reader does not take in count the max_path registry. I suggest you to share a folder in the middle of the long path and use that share folder to access those files.

When you create a share folder the path to this folder is dropped and the path start withe the name of the folder.

Let me know if you need anything else.

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SalonenSamuli

Hey,

thanks for your response. However, I have no idea what you are talking about.

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JoseBeltre

Independent Advisor

Let me propose an alternative way by creating a symbolic link to a directory. Suppose the path is C:\folder1\folder2\folder3\folder4\folder5\folder6\folder7
and you are getting the path file is too long error from folder 5. You can create a symbolic link to folder5. For this, please select Start and type CMD. From right select Run as administrator, then type:

cd C:\folder1
mklink /j Jump "folder2\folder3\folder4\folder5\"

This command will create a "gateway" in folder1 to access folders and files inside folder5, but the system will not show the real full path, it will show the "gateway" path.

SalonenSamuli

A workaround the "path file is too long" problem

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JoseBeltre

SalonenSamuli

JoseBeltre

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Replies (3)