The descriptive name of a file or a folder is considered as a good practice. But giving long descriptive filenames or folder names might prompt error messages and can give a lot of headache if the path exceeds the maximum path.

A path determines the location of a file in the workstation's filing system. It usually starts with the drive letter, followed by the directory name(folder), subdirectory name(sub folder) and the filename. The maximum number of characters that is allowed for a path is 256 characters, including the slash (/), the colon (:) and the space. And it is not always the long filename which causes the errors, also giving short filenames but placing those files under deep level of subdirectories.

It is not usual to encounter these error messages concerning a long path. But it is still possible and might be encountered even for very well organized files.

Path

The Windows Explorer has the Address Toolbar which displays the location of the selected folder. The address is the path.

Possible error messages

The following error messages are encountered when the file or folder exceeds the 256 character maximum path:

• The error message encountered while trying to create a New Folder.

• The error message encountered while trying to create a New File.

• The error message encountered while trying to copy and paste a New Folder or a New File in a subdirectory.

• The error message encountered while trying to extract a zipped Folder or a zipped File.

• The error message encountered while trying to open a recently moved file.

• The error message encountered while trying to open a created file.

Possible Resolutions

Here are the possible resolutions to the path too long error messages:

1. Renaming the folder.

Select a folder that is one level above the folder which returns the error message. Right-click on the folder returning the error, then Rename. Renaming the folder with shorter name reduces the number of characters used in the folder name, thus eliminating the error message.

2. Mapping the folder into a drive.

Map the folder inside the structure of the path of the desired file or folder into a drive. This will shorten the virtual path by creating an illusion that the path started at the mapped folder. Just remember that to be able to map the folder into a drive, the folder must allow sharing permissions that is discussed here.