Can't open or rename file (name is too long) WTF?

[oli_ramsay]

There's no context menu for rename, I've also tried clicking on it when it's highlightd (which usually changes name too). It wont open in realplayer VLC or WMP.


I get this error when trying to open it.

I've also tried to convert it but thje converter software says unknown file type.

Any help much appreciated!

[Solaris17]

close all programs

navigate to it in explorer...right click and rename

you can also do it in safemode that should fix any probs with renaming though if your hainv g trouble renaming now with everything closed reboot and before you do anything rename it

[amd64skater]

its a bad file ive had that too just delete it and download it and change it to what you like.

[oli_ramsay]

Same thing in safe mode. There must be a way! I'm deteremined to make it work lol

[oli_ramsay]

fixed it!

Changed the file path by renaming containing folder to "g" instead of "Marillion - 1985 - Misplaced Childhood (2-Disc 1998 Remaster) [VBR]"

[hat]

any specific reason you renamed it to g? would q have worked? or any other single character?

[EnglishLion]

I use some software at work that installs OK from HDD unless the path to the folder contains a space in which case it I get a similar error about 'too many characters'.

Unrelated but still kind of interesting.

[lemonadesoda]

Very easy to fix.

Go to the parent folder, and rename is "x". Now the path is shorter. See if that works. If not copy the parent directory "x" to the root drive. Bingo.

[GeoNOregon]

Like so damn many things in M$ products, it's a misleading message. It's not necessarily the filename, but it could be - the problem is the entire pathname is too long. You diod the best you could by renaming a folder.

This was a real problem in the early, early days of CD burning. Nero didn't like long pathname in the least, I can remember burning some work related CD's with my drivers, tool apps & manuals on them and having some tedious times going back and renaming stuff.

[Darknova]

You can't have a pathname more than 255 characters long. That includes ALL containing folders.

That's why I think 99% of people need to be re-taught how to zip things up.

"Can't extract, file patch exceeds 255 characters."

*sigh*

[GeoNOregon]

That's the number I have cursed, now that you mention it. I saw a system one time on a service call where the person used folders like they were a frickin' note page - there were all these little essays disguised as folder names when you opened Explorer. I asked why she did this since it you couldn't put a file or a sub-folder in them, (255 limit).

Her reply was it didn't matter, it was handy for her....

People use computers in ALL kinds of ways, I've found. Though, it did stick with me and I now make 'notes' in directories, particularly in folders where I download software to when testing applications. I just make a new 'text' file and use the filename for the 'quick look' note for things like "no forum" or "30 days free", etc, etc... it is handy

[ax_Cap]

Use 7zip.

open the 7zip file manager, go to the folder of the long name file, select the file, right click on it and select "rename".
erase some of the words of the file and press enter.

regards!!!!!

[FordGT90Concept]

Thread necro...

When in doubt, use CMD.

1. Run CMD
2. Use CD <path> to navigate to the directory where the file exists.
3. Use the DIR command to get the list of files. DIR will likely abbreviate the ridiculously long named file with NAME~1.
4. Use the MOVE <source> <destination> to give the file a new name. For example: move "NAME~1" "MyShortName"
5. ...
6. PROFIT!

CMD is always the answer.

[Mussels]

you could have shortened the folder names that its in as well.

[remixedcat]

here to join the necrophillia.....

use dBpoweramp's tag editor as well.

[krowey]

If simplifying the file and folder name is not an option, i guess the best thing to do is to use a third party app like Long Path Tool. Just download it and use it to solve this issue. I hope this would help.