File Name TOO Long Error – How to Delete Files With Long Names?

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In This Guide

TRY IT NOW: Can’t Delete File with Long Name – Quick Solution

What Causes the File Name Too Long Error?

Method 1: Use the Safe Mode

Method 2: Use File Explorer + CMD

Conclusion

Fix It Now

If you have ever tried to delete a file with a long name, you may be familiar with the “file name too long” issue. This common error prevents you from deleting files with long names. While you can rename the file and delete it, it doesn’t work when the issue is triggered by a system problem.

So how do you delete files with long names in Windows? In this guide, we will discuss all the possible reasons why you may be unable to delete files with long names. We will also reveal the most effective ways to successfully delete them. So read on to learn more.

What Causes the File Name Too Long Error?

If you are unable to delete a file with a long name, there are many reasons that may trigger this error. For instance, it can be caused by some programs or scripts not compatible with longer paths. Some utilities and old programs are not designed to handle long file paths. 

The issue can also stem from programs using APIs that have restrictions on file path lengths. What’s more, malware, bugs, and a damaged system can also prevent you from deleting files with long names.
Damaged system files can also impact your CTRL+C and CTRL+V functions. 

Sometimes, we’ve seen that deleting the delivery optimization cache helps this issue.

How to Delete Files With Long Names?

While renaming the files is an obvious solution to this, it may not always work, especially when the issue is triggered by a system problem. 

Below, we have shared a really easy way to resolve this issue by using Safe Mode.

Method 1: Use the Safe Mode

• On your keyboard, press ‘Win + R’.
• Type and enter “msconfig”. 

• The “System Configuration Utility” will open. Go to the “Boot” tab.
• Now select the “Safe Boot” checkbox under the “Boot options”.
• Click “Network”.
• Hit the “OK” button.

• Finally, restart your PC and you will enter the Safe Mode.
• Try deleting the file with the long name now. Once done, repeat the above steps again while unchecking the “Safe Boot” option.

If you are unable to delete the long name file in Safe mode, you can use the following, more advanced way to delete it. 

Method 2: Use File Explorer + CMD

• On your PC, launch “File Explorer”. 
• Go to the file directory.
• Press ‘Shift’ on your PC and right-click anywhere in the empty area.
• Select “Open Command Window Here”.

• Type and enter “DIR /X”. Every file listed in the directory will appear with the long-name files reduced to “WHYSOL~1.TXT”. 

If the error is triggered by a Firefox issue, follow these steps:

• Press and hold Shift and right-click on the file name in File Explorer.
• Select “Copy as path”.

• Now press ‘Win + R’ on your PC to open “cmd”.

• Type “del \\?\” in the text field and then right-click and paste the copied file path. You will see the a result like this:
  del \\?\”C:\Users\SomeUser\Downloads\DATAIM~1.URL”

• Finally, hit ‘Enter’ to delete the file.

Conclusion

By deploying these fixes, you can successfully delete files with long names in Windows. You can rename or restructure the files and their directories to make sure they comply with their limits and are manageable. 

Good luck!