I can't delete long path in windows

ceez · 2016-06-13T14:04:33.000Z

guys I have an odd one. I dont know what the heck was going on, copying something or whatnot when this mess was created. Now I can’t get rid of it. I can drill down to the last folder and delete each one going back up to the root, but when I get to the root it doesn’t delete and folders are recreated.

there’s some adobe files/folder that come up as source path too long but I dont even see those files. I just see these folders.

I tried unlocker with no luck. I tried rd /s d: and it shows success but still there. I’ve even restarted the server.

thoughts?

appdata_paths.jpg800×165 31.7 KB

notstevegavrilles · 2016-06-13T14:06:31.000Z

Did you try to rename the files/folders and then delete them? That always works for me.

davidr4 · 2016-06-13T14:09:59.000Z

You could try sharing a folder further down, then deleting from the UNC path. It would make the paths shorter

bflaviu · 2016-06-13T14:11:22.000Z

Try deleting with CMD. I think I’ve had this issue before and this worked for me. Here’s some help on how to use that command:

http://ss64.com/nt/del.html

scottbrindley · 2016-06-13T14:17:07.000Z

The path is too long , above 256 characters. You can drill down and rename all the folders to 1 then delete. Or another solution is use robocopy /Purge as per this link. I have used this many times to delete long file paths.

https://blog.bertvanlangen.com/articles/path-too-long-use-robocopy/

nathanwork · 2016-06-13T14:20:59.000Z

Share one of the down-level folders, map a drive letter to it (which shortens the path) the access/delete that way.

jim4232 · 2016-06-13T14:42:07.000Z

The easiest way I have ever done this is to boot to a live Linux distro and nuke the folder! Works every time.

Use the CTRL-DEL combo and it is gone.

glennhampton · 2016-06-13T14:43:08.000Z

I’ve had success with this in the past for a simple way to remove things like that:

https://deepremove.codeplex.com/

Mike400 · 2016-06-13T15:23:43.000Z

I always rename to a shorter path and then delete.

bloodhoundgang · 2016-06-13T16:34:27.000Z

scottbrindley:

The path is too long , above 256 characters. You can drill down and rename all the folders to 1 then delete. Or another solution is use robocopy /Purge as per this link. I have used this many times to delete long file paths.

https://blog.bertvanlangen.com/articles/path-too-long-use-robocopy/

This should work like a charm and no need to go renaming all those files/folders.

ceez · 2016-06-13T19:05:03.000Z

scottbrindley:

The path is too long , above 256 characters. You can drill down and rename all the folders to 1 then delete. Or another solution is use robocopy /Purge as per this link. I have used this many times to delete long file paths.

https://blog.bertvanlangen.com/articles/path-too-long-use-robocopy/

it seemed like a good option but no go, it actually duplicated the paths…telling you some weird black magic stuff going on.

renaming paths worked until a certain folder, then they just disappear as I dont see any folder afterwards, but when I search using . I see the last numbered folder followed by the mess of remaining folders.

I tried the sharing a folder way in the nest but unable to delete as well.

glennhampton:

I’ve had success with this in the past for a simple way to remove things like that:

https://deepremove.codeplex.com/

I got alerted of a potential threat of this app and the website when you download is in Chinese…dont trust it.

ceez · 2016-09-08T12:00:02.000Z

updating old post, but randomly out of the blue I was able to go in there and press delete…this time “magically” the freaking folders got deleted.

I wish I had an answer other than trying all the suggestions above and then just suddenly allowing me to delete

bloodhoundgang · 2016-09-08T12:45:27.000Z

It just takes time for the file system to “let go”. Glad to hear it’s working for you.