Best software for getting around copying long file name errors in Win 7/8/10? (CD, games)

[Phoenix2017]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone knows or could please recommend the best software designed for getting around copying long file name errors in Win 7/8/10? I have file names and folders stored on my external backup drive, so when I try to copy or move many of these to a different location, I get an error message saying something like the file path is too long, etc., asks me to rename them or make them shorter, and it of course doesn't work correctly without the long and painstaking process of manually renaming or shortening each and every one of these errors that are flagged. I have heard that there are software programs that can eliminate this limitation while also preserving the existing and original long file and folder names, but I am not sure which ones are good recommended. Anyone who could please help with this question would be deeply appreciated. Thanks!

[Tek_Freek]

Depending on what is causing the length error you may be able to do a quick rename/shortening of an entire directory of filenames.

If it is the filenames that are the problem, not the length of the full path, this might help.

How to Batch Rename Files in Windows: 4 Ways to Rename Multiple Files

If you renamed the directory structure to shorter names it should help.

e:\longer_name\longer_name\longer_name\longer_name \longer_name\longer_name\

To

e:\short_name\short_name\short_name\short_name\sho rt_name\short_name\

Ignore the oddly place spaces in the lines above. CD has some weird formatting rules.

If you make that short enough it should copy and it involves changing folder names instead of every file name. If the folder names are important make a record of them and change them back once they are copied. Of course, if it's a problem now renaming them back to the long names will cause grief in the future.

[bigbear99]

have you done any checks for file or directory errors, like running chkdsk?

[Dude111]

Doesnt other OS's do what 98se does as far as long filenames??

I can make a filename up to 255 characters I think but the computer renames it to xxxxxx~1.xxx internally if its over 6 characters to avoid long filename errors........

[TurcoLoco]

If you want a $25 solution that can list and fix the issue in one solution, then check this application called Long Path Tool.

If you are willing to do the work yourself but just want to locate the offending files, try the open-source TLPD or Path Length Checker tool. Both are free.
If you encounter the bug using Path Length Checker, you can try th PowerShell script that you can access from the bottom of the same page.

A really good freebie you can use to modify multiple file names at once is Cut Long Names.

Advanced Renamer is a pretty cool utility as well. My personal favorite that I have been using since Windows 9x days is Rname-it.

Not sure if any of these was what you were asking for but I hope it helps.

Additionally, you might want to look more into AlphaFS.

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by Dude111

Doesnt other OS's do what 98se does as far as long filenames??

I can make a filename up to 255 characters I think but the computer renames it to xxxxxx~1.xxx internally if its over 6 characters to avoid long filename errors........

Of course. That's not the issue here.

[Phoenix2017]

Originally Posted by bigbear99

have you done any checks for file or directory errors, like running chkdsk?

A very good idea, thanks for the helpful reminder! Also many thanks as well to everyone else who was kind enough to post a reply to this thread

[Phoenix2017]

After doing some research online, I found out that apparently Windows 10 doesn't have the technical issues with coping/moving/pasting file names and folders that Windows 7/Vista/XP reported problems with