File name too long to be deleted

Solved
IyF Posted messages 2 Status Member -  
 Pseudo -
Hello everyone,
I’m posting here after reading a lot of posts about a file with a name that is too long and can’t be deleted.
It’s a .mpg video file that has 244 characters. I’ve tried a few software programs: CopyLock, RegCleaner, LongFile, Unlocker, CutLongNames, but nothing works. I haven't tried using DOS mods or anything because I really don’t know anything about all that.

I’m on Vista. More specifically, my file is located in the programs (program files under XP). When I right-click on the file, I can only either OPEN, ADD TO WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER LIST, SEND TO, or OPEN WITH. Of course, I can’t send it anywhere. It is basically impossible for me to rename it, move it, and even less to delete it right now. If someone could personally handle my case, I would be very grateful ^^.

Thanks in advance to everyone, and if DOS can work (which I doubt because in every post I've read, it has never worked), please explain it to me, I will try!
Configuration: Windows Vista Internet Explorer 7.0

11 answers

ZEBIEN
 
Hello, I had the same issue by deleting a system folder that had duplicated in Startup / User Folder / Desktop on my end. ALL MY FILES LOCATED ON THE DESKTOP WERE DUPLICATED, a usable part and all the doubles were hidden in a pile of subfolders. RESULT: the PC was completely lost, available memory size was insufficient, and I had no way to delete, rename, or move these files due to the excessive number of characters.
TO REMEDY THIS, I reduced the name to a minimum (1 character) of all the subfolders upstream of the files in question, reducing as much as possible the number of folders. For me, it worked; I hope for you that the number of subfolders isn’t too high. There you go, good luck to everyone!
75
Flo
 
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
0
Flo
 
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
0
jh
 
Thank youuuu
0
rr
 
perfect, thank you!
0
ym
 
Thank you very much!!!
0
Celebrïndal
 
So I also had this issue, an application that created a multiple backup file of itself by adding a ".bak" behind it each time, after a certain period I found myself with a file "toto.bak.bak.bak ...." etc :)

My method worked for me but I am on win2k, we will see if it works on other operating systems. Let's assume this file is alone in a directory called "tutu". With my solution, the entire directory and everything it contains (files or subdirectories) will be deleted, so be sure to clear the area around the offending file so that it is left alone in a directory.

Open a command window (Start, Run, type "cmd" and press Enter; this will open a black DOS-type window)
navigate through the directory tree using "cd\" or/and "cd directory_name" until you find yourself in the parent directory of the "tutu" directory (which contains the famous file (and only it!!)).
type "rd tutu /s" and then Enter. It will ask you for confirmation with "y" (for "Yes")

And there you go, that cursed file is finally deleted :)
24
Marco
 
Tried. Create a share on the directory where the file is located.
Connect a network drive to the share, and then we no longer have the entire root structure.
0
xerion
 
too cool super fast and it works 100% thank you Celebrïndal
0
CaptainFlamenkuch
 
I'm fighting with this bullshit of a guy for an hour.

The back passage is SPOT ON

I hadn't thought of that.

Thanks
0
teauahi
 
Thank you for the tip. Under win7, I right-clicked, with the shift key held down, on the parent folder (which contains the folder where the file with the too long name was located) to open a DOS command window. I typed DEL followed by the name of the folder. As a result, the file was deleted after confirmation!
0
teraihono
 
You're welcome!!!!!!!!
0
Jpos29
 
Nickel market by renaming all subfolders to "A"

Thank you!!!
4
Mom
 
Awesome!!!
By renaming "A", it works

Thank you
0
kirikoucohe Posted messages 1 Status Member 4
 
For my part, being a bit intellectually lazy, I tried right-clicking on the "parent" directory (which contains the directory with the problematic file) > Properties > General uncheck "read-only file", a window suggests applying to all subdirectories of the hierarchy and their files > OK

Then right-click to delete the directory (parent)

For me, it works great (the file was on an external hard drive; I'm on W7)

If that can help
4
Hitomi
 
It worked for me after renaming the file.
0
LastNightUbuntuSavedMyLife
 
I was fed up with trying, unsuccessfully, 36 programs to delete long path files, so I booted from a Linux Ubuntu CD, without installing it, and I renamed and deleted all the long files that were lingering on my Windows 7 PC.
3
IyF Posted messages 2 Status Member 1
 
Is no one able to help me? 8'{
1
Jackfreud
 
Hello everyone!

Same as you, except that for me it's an .mp3 file, but same issue... name too long... It was already there under XP SP2 and I've never been able to delete it even with software like TuneUp Utilities or RegCleaner among others, and no better using DOS... Help!
1
Julien335
 
Super solution ZEBIEN Énorme merci, ça a aussi marché pour moi !!
1
cd
 
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!
1
Devilord Posted messages 1 Status Member 1
 
Same goes for me! Nested folders one inside the other to... infinity. DOS... nothing, Live CD linux... nothing...

The only method is to take 30 minutes of your time to:

-->Rename all files with a single letter as "Jpos29" said (to lighten the exploration!!!!!!!!!! IMPORTANT)

-->Try to delete as many files as possible by changing their names.

-->Delete their parents as much as possible in the hope of reaching the end of this tree structure to completely eliminate it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1