The source file name(s) are larger than is supported by the file system...

Hi everyone,

I tried all of the above and none of them fixed my issues, however I found out make a drive mapping about halfway into the folder structure you should be able to delete the latter half of the file heirarcy.

For example if you are getting the error trying to delete:

\\NAS.Device.Company.com\a\b\c\d\e\f\g\h\i\j\k\l\m\n\o\p\q\r\s\t\u\v\w\x\y\z

Then map a network drive Z: to

\\NAS.Device.Company.com\a\b\c\d\e\f\g\h\i\j\k\

This will reduce the file herarch down to a smaller path.  Open explorer and view the Z: drive.  It should contain a folder called L (in this example).

You should now be able to delete the L and its subfolders without an issue, thereby deleting half the folder hierarchy.  After that, disconnect the z: drive and try to delete whatever is left normally.  Problem solved!

First try deleting them by bypassing the Recycle Bin by using SHIFT-DEL(thanks, Michael Murphy) instead of just DEL.

Try using one of the following free products to delete the file/folder.  Unlocker at: http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/Unlocker.shtml or File Assassin http://www.malwarebytes.org/fileassassin.php (with or without Force Delete and you may need Force Delete in this instance: http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/12/27/force-delete-cannot-delete-locked-or-in-used-files-or-folders-with-fileassassin/). These programs often work when normal Vista delete functions fail to operate properly.  You may have already tried Unlocker (I don't know if it's the same as Unlocker Assistant) but if this one if different, give it a try.

Here's an article on this topic (related to a different subject, but essentially the same problem) with a number of suggestions - one of which may work for you: http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/how-to-delete-source-file-names-are-larger-than-is-.

I hope one of these options helps.  If not, post back and we'll see if we can find another answer.

Good luck!