Delete a file that has a filename too long to delete

[daveguenther]

When file names are too long and windows won’t delete or rename for that reason, and dir /x doesn’t work in CMD, here’s one way to delete the file

Step 1: Locate file that is too long

Find the path of the file with the filename that is too long to delete

Step 2: Open 7-zip or winrar

Navigate to the file, as if your going to create an archive withing the 7-zip or winrar application, right click on the file (or F2) and choose rename. Give the file a shorter name.

Step 3: You can now delete the file in file explorer

Success! the file now has a shorter name and can be deleted.

This worked well for me after my other option didn’t work, opening the directory in a command prompt and using dir /x to display shorter names and deleting from there. The only listing it would give me would be the long file name again.
This method of renaming within 7-zip seems much simpler than the MS article outlining other ways of deleting a file with a filename too long, Can't delete files on NTFS file system - Windows Server | Microsoft Learn

Hope this helps someone

[rockn]

Can’t you just right click and rename? Just curious. Thanks

[daveguenther]

When it’s too long, the right click menu gives you “Open, print, edit, mediainfo, open with, send to” no rename or delete. Plus shift-Delete and f2 do not work on these files either, I’m sure there is a work around but 7-zip is just so simple

[scottkerwood (Scott4376)]

Map a drive to the file location \computername\adminshare\folderpath and then delete the file ie \mypc\c$\folders. It can be on the same machine. It shortens the folder name to a single letter, then select the file name and then you can delete it.

[lcarlson2 (lcarlson)]

Thanks for this. I used 7-Zip to rename two files and delete them out of a file server and backup versions on our NAS. They were both files saved by former staff and nobody here now needs them or wants them. The 7-Zip method was quick and easy for me. +100

[spiceuser-6ykaz (Juan_Miller)]

Use "Long Path This very useful if you are having problems
in deleting, unlocking, copying and even renaming files, also very easy. - Juan Miller

[spiceuser-ek6mu]

I can’t believe how easy this was to fix. Very nice workaround to a common problem. I never understood why MS allows the creation of long file names to begin with if you can’t manipulate them after the fact. Anyway, thanks for the tip.

[aijazrehmankashmiri (Aijaz Rehman)]

Simply download the below tool and get rid of any file whatever…not a rocket science bro…
https://fileassassin.en.softonic.com/?ex=RAMP-2046.2

[yummy-itt]

Thanks, It helps alot.

[spiceuser-an9s]

Simply download and install LongPathTool software you can use this app to delete,move rename file with long filename.