Does MAX_PATH issue still exists in Windows 10

PathLimitLong FilenamesWindows 10

Path Problem Overview


Can someone please tell us/me if the MAX_PATH issue still exists in (the technical preview of) Windows 10. And if it exists: How many characters can a path and an individual file name have?

Path Solutions


Solution 1 - Path

The issue will be always present in Windows, to keep compatibility with old software. Use the NT-style name syntax "\\?\D:\very long path" to workaround this issue.

In Windows 10 (Version 1607 - Anniversary Update) and Windows Server 2016 you seem to have an option to ignore the MAX_PATH issue by overriding a group policy entry enable NTFS long paths under Computer Configuration -> Admin Templates -> System -> FileSystem:

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The applications must have an entry longPathAware similar to DPIAware in the application manifest.

<assembly xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1" manifestVersion="1.0" xmlns:asmv3="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v3" >
  <asmv3:application>
    <asmv3:windowsSettings xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/SMI/2016/WindowsSettings">
      <longPathAware>true</longPathAware>
    </asmv3:windowsSettings>
  </asmv3:application>
</assembly>

Solution 2 - Path

Here's some ansible code to enable long paths to avoid all that clicking in @magicandre1981 answer. This was tested on Windows Server 2016, it should work on Windows 10 too.

- name: Remove filesystem path length limitations
  win_regedit:
    path: HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem
    name: LongPathsEnabled
    type: dword
    data: 1
    state: present

Solution 3 - Path

Yes it does still exist. Just ran into an issue now and the usual method of mapping a network drive to it to shorten the path didn't seem to let me open the files, but it would let me rename and move them.

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Content TypeOriginal AuthorOriginal Content on Stackoverflow
QuestiondkeckView Question on Stackoverflow
Solution 1 - Pathmagicandre1981View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 2 - PathliberforceView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 3 - PathGareth OatesView Answer on Stackoverflow