Files won't delete, file names too long 2

[davegmail]

Files won't delete, file names too long - these
seem to be related.


1. How do I delete them - they won't delete, no error messages.

2. What do I do when filenames are too long? I just save them from the a web page. Is there an easy way to prevent this?

Thanks, Dave

 

[Glenn9999]

Is there a character in the filename that's illegal in Windows but legal in DOS?

 

[TheLad]

Have you tried renaming the files? Try giving them a short name, such as 1.doc for example.

Also, the directory path name is also a factor because if the directory names are too long, you will also get this issue, so it may be worth making the path shorter to begin with and then try renaming the files.

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"Who is General Failure and what is he doing on my computer?"
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[davegmail]

Thelad - yup! I figured this out also. I am archiving these closer to root directory & using shorter names.

Dave

 

[thefourthwall]

Another option is deleting the files from the cmd prompt.
Start > Run > "cmd" Enter.

cd to the folder one level up from the one that contains the files that won't delete, and use the rd command like "rd /s /q folderwithbadfilenames" Enter

The folder with the offending files is now just ... gone!

-thefourthwall

 

[piracydontsux]

download a programme called unlocker 1.8.3 this unlocks files and deletes them as well. good programme to use and very easy to understand

 

[davegmail]

Thanks everybody!

I moved folders too deeply nested. So the total path name:

c:\folder1\folder2\.... was > 255 char.

Windows Vista would be good to avoid this some how. So I am fixing this drive's contents. I'll post news soon.