Whenever you want to copy or delete a file or folder, you may suddenly run into an error with a message "The names of the source files are larger than those supported by the file system. Try moving to a location with a shorter path name or try renaming it to shorter names before trying this".
You may be wondering why you see this error. The reason is that the specific file or folder is at the bottom of a set of subfolders with long names and Microsoft does not allow more than 255 characters for the subfolders. This is why it prevents you from moving the file, deleting it or even renaming it. The worst part is that you can't do anything with the file / folder and it keeps taking up system memory.
Fortunately, however, this error can be corrected. Let's see how.
Solution 1: Rename the containing folder
Step 1: For example, if you want to change the name of a video file that is in the me drive, you may not be able to rename it. When you right-click on it, you don't have the option to change the file name.
Step 2: The reason the name cannot be changed is because the file is inside the drive and therefore the file path is too long and exceeds Microsoft's requirement of 255 characters.
Step 3: The best thing to do now would be to shorten the folder name, because we can't change the file name. So here we shorten the folder name to LS where is the file. You can change the name to anything according to your needs.
4 phase: Now when you go back to the file and right click on it, Rename and the other options appear in the context menu. Click on Rename option to rename the file.
That is. Now you can easily copy, move, delete or rename a file or folder.
Solution 2: Press SHIFT + DELETE to delete
If you can't delete, use this method.
If you right click, delete, try this. Just press SHIFT + DELETE to delete the file, so that it does not go to the recycle bin and is deleted directly.
Solution 3: use WinRar software
1. Open WinRAR if you have winrar installed on your PC
2. Now, find the particular file or folder you are having this error with.
3. Now select that file and click Inserisci.
4. Now select Delete files after archiving on the next screen.
5. Click ok.
6. Now delete that archive file as well if you want to delete that file first.
If you want to move the file, copy and paste the file to a different location, then extract it there.
