Unable to Delete Files -- File Name Too Long

Anonymous
2010-05-01T23:10:08+00:00

I copied all of the files under C:\Users<userid> to a backup drive (NTFS).  I then tried to delete the Temporary Internet Files folder.  I go an error message saying:

The file name(s) would be too long for the destination folder.  You can shorten the file name and try again, or try a location that has a shorter path.

When I drilled down to where the problem files were I saw a bunch of files with very long names.  I right clicked on one (hoping to rename it) and the only options available were: Open, Pin to Start Menu, Send to.  Delete, Rename and Properties were missing.

How do I get rid of these files without having to reformat the drive?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2010-05-03T07:03:50+00:00

For those that hit the same problem the solution was to open the folder in a cmd window and list the short names of the files.  Then use the short names with the Erase command.

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2010-05-02T00:13:20+00:00

Hi,

Try Disk Cleanup = Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Cleanup

You may also need to run checkdisk

How to Run Disk Check in Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

======================

If needed :

DO NOT INSTALL THE eBay Option with UnLocker (uncheck it in the installer) andthen go into UnLocker Folder in Program Files - UnLocker and DELETE the ebayxxx.exe file - you can easily see it."C:\Program Files\Unlocker"  just the ebayxxxx.exe I forget its name exactly.

Author's site shows it as Vista/Windows 7 supported now :

http://www.emptyloop.com/unlocker/ 

UnLocker 1.92

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/Unlocker.shtml <-- or Download UnLocker here ****

Download - SAVE - go to where you put it - Right Click on - RUN AS ADMIN

The below also works on 32 and 64 bit Vista/Win 7 and should work on Win 8/8.1.

Another good alternative - Use FileAssassin :

FileAssassin - Free

http://www.malwarebytes.org/fileassassin.php

Force Delete (Cannot Delete) Locked or In Used Files or Folders with FileASSASSIN

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/12/27/force-delete-cannot-delete-locked-or-in-used-files-or-folders-with-fileassassin/

Download - SAVE - go to where you put it - Right Click on - RUN AS ADMIN

And this - MoveOnBoot

MoveOnBoot

http://www.softwarepatch.com/software/moveonboot.html

Hope this helps.

Rob Brown - MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

84 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-09-13T20:49:10+00:00

    I actually found a very simple solution to this problem, which occurred when I wanted to delete some temporary internet files which were in a backup folder on an external drive. (I guess it would work as well on the C drive too).

    Firstly create a temporary folder in the root directory of the drive you wish to delete them from, e.g. C:\temp.

    Secondly, go to the folder containing the files e.g. C:\users\fred.............\temporary internet files\ABCD1234EFGH\*.* and copy folder \ABCD1234EFGH into the new folder you created in step one.

    Finally delete the temporary folder.

    By moving the folder containing the offending files nearer to the root of the drive, you are shortening the path length dramatically and the files are now deletable!

    I hope this helps.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-09-13T17:56:09+00:00

    Surely do wish I could figure out how to use the cmd window to perform the commands (I have no idea, and cannot figure out, except to open the cmd), the rest remains too complicated.  I have two (empty) files on my desktop with exactly the same problem as described in the question above ("files names would be too long for destination file").  For the life of me, I cannot delete those folders.  The problem started when there was another folder with the same files with the same name inside the folder, so when opened, all the photos stored were visible, but that same file was duplicated inside the file, with the same photos appearing again.  When I went to delete the duplicate file, the error message above was displayed.  I have emptied all the photos from the file folder, but it does not matter.  Thanks for any help.  Russell 

    r******@Hotmail.com

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-09-02T14:20:54+00:00

    This worked for me. I had to look up the commands though.

    Here they are for anyone else who is wondering:

    To list the files and their short names:

    dir /x

    To erase a file:

    erase short~name.ext

    (I'm using short~name.ext as an example of a shortened file name)

    Tip: When viewing the files with long names in windows explorer hold down shift and right-click and there is an option to "Open command window here." This saves you from having to navigate to the right directory in a command window.

    Hope this helps someone

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments