Windows File Name Too Long

Windows File Name Too Long

Windows File Name Too Long

I recently downloaded some files from a server, for a client, that was providing an erroneous size number. I was downloading them to a specific mounted drive, not the system drive. When I looked at the files they seemed to be irrecoverable, had mad symbols instead of alpha characters and was causing problems on my system - in other words they were already corrupted.

My next obvious step was to delete them but Windows kept giving me the error message that the file names were too long. I then used Unlocker and forced delete but it failed the program. Then I tried ASC shredder and although it said it had successfully deleted the files they were still there!

I then tried to do a repair disk and then the worst case scenario happened - my entire system crashed and it started to corrupt my drive! I restarted twice and ran CHKDSK both times. Then I decided to do something that may help you if you have the same problem:

1. Hit START button and enter in the Search field: CMD.
2. Switch to the drive or directory that is the problem and run the following:
3. CHKDSK /F (Drive letter or file location)

The /F is what fixes it. In the process you will be asked if to convert the irrecoverable data into a file - choose yes by typing "Y" And press ENTER.

Now you can go back and delete it.