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The Filename or Extension Is too Long? Here’s a Fix

Creating a network drive should fix this issue for good

6 min. read

Updated onNovember 6, 2024

updated onNovember 6, 2024

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System errors can occur sooner or later, and manyusersreported having an ERROR_FILENAME_EXCED_RANGE error It’s often followed by thefilename or extensionis too longerror message.

What to do if the filename or extension is too long?

1. Create a Network Drive

You can also temporarily fix this problem by creating a network drive. Before you can use this solution, you need to share your folder. This is relatively simple, and you can do it by following the above.

Once the folder is shared, you need to create a network drive. This is relatively simple, and you can do it by following these steps:

2. Add those files to an archive

You can archivefileswithout third-party tools; to do that, you need to right-click the file or folder you want to archive and choose theAdd to archiveoption.

Severalusersalso recommend using the7-zip toolto fix this problem. According to them, you can use this application to create a zip archive, but you can also use it to remove problematicfilesfrom your PC.

3. Use Command Prompt

4. Use Long Path Fixer

Severalusersreported that you can easily fix this problem usingLong Path Fixer. This is a freeware application, and it will allow you to rename, copy or delete problematicfiles.

In addition, you can try using tools such asLong Path Eraser FreeorAnt Renamer. All these tools are free, and you can use them to rename problematic files or folders and get access to them.

5. Use Command Prompt to rename files or folders

Before you can rename your files, you need to reveal hidden files, folders, and extensions. You can do that with ease by following the steps above.

Remember to enter the correct path to the problematic file and the file extension. We usedProblematicFile.txtas an example, so replace it with the actual file name giving you this error.

If you have multiplefilesthat you can’t access, you might want to try changing the name of the folder. To do that, do the following:

The filename or extension is too longerror message can prevent you from accessing your files or folders due to their long path, but you can circumvent this problem by renaming them.

This is a bit advanced solution, so it might not be suitable for basicusers. If you’re unfamiliar with Command Prompt, it might take a few tries to rename yourfilesor folders properly.

6. Make changes to Group Policy

According to users, Windows 10 brought some improvements related to path character limits. In previous versions of Windows, users were limited to 260 characters for paths, but this limitation can be lifted in Windows 10.

If you can’t access Group Policy Editor on your version of Windows, you can also remove this limitation by using Registry Editor. To do that, follow these steps:

If you don’t want to edit your registry manually, you can use this zip file and the files inside to apply changes instantly.

Simply run theRemove 260 Character Path Limit.regfilefrom the archive to remove file path limitations. You can also run the otherfilefrom the archive to enable the limitation again.

Irrespective of your chosen method, enabling this option will allow you to access any file path without issues, so try this solution out.

Thefilename or extensionis too longmessage and ERROR_FILENAME_EXCED_RANGE error can appear on any PC, but you should be able to fix them easily by using one of the solutions from our article.

If youcan’t delete a fileon your PC, check our detailed guide to rectify the issue quickly.

Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you fix this issue in the comments below.

The Filename or Extension Is too Long? Here’s a Fix#

What to do if the filename or extension is too long?#

1. Create a Network Drive#

2. Add those files to an archive#

3. Use Command Prompt#

4. Use Long Path Fixer#

5. Use Command Prompt to rename files or folders#

6. Make changes to Group Policy#