Howdy Friends!
Well I once myself came across this confusing issue once, while extracting a ‘ZIP’ file in my laptop. on extraction it said
“Total path and file name length must not exceed 260 characters”.
Just FYI its basically a very interesting error that needs a layman explanation I would like you to know.
Basically a ZIP file is a compressed folder contents of which are suppressed as much as possible, keeping in mind the two Rules:
- Space saving .
- No data Loss while Unzipping it back to the normal.
So when we unzip a file, it primarily is stored somewhere in ‘Users’ folder ( let’s not go much in detail ), and then moves to the destination you have mentioned or a default destination of extraction. Softwares like Winrar (most commonly used) have set their location parameters not to exceed 260 characters in length. That means when the location distance exceeds more than the path specified, it shows error. Not to mention, zip file’s name-length also matters!
For example 123.zip is shorter name than ohmygodwhatalongnameitis.zip!
So, basically we can come over this error by using Window’s (XP/Vista/7/8) built in Zip software. Winzip in XP and Windows Explorer in further OS versions.
Simple Steps…
Step 1 (image below)
- Select the ZIP file.
- Go to Options Pane and select little arrow beside ‘OPEN‘ option. Alternatively you can ‘Right Click’ and Select ‘Open with..’
- And from the given choices select ‘Windows Explorer’.
Here are the screen shots I just took to elaborate it.
Image no. 1
Step 2 (image below)
- A new window opens just like any explorer window, showing the contents of the ZIP file, as a Folder.
- Just Click>Drag the folder inside to location of your choice and Drop/Release.
- Done!
Image no. 2
In this image, number 1 shows the explorer window, with folder name same as of the ZIP file if you notice. Number 2 is the Drag and number 3 is the extracted folder.
And Bingo! You are done!
I hope you Liked the Info. Any queries Please let me know!
This method might be a discreet one and may not help some people, but still is most accepted one!
Thanks For Reading
-SID
geeznblogged 
Nice post. Simple yet complicated problem.
Cheers, you just saved me a headache!
@bren: welcome brother. Cheers!
It just move the issue from Winrar to Explorer.
Using the described method, I encounter the same message, during the copy to the target folder.
For the moment the only possible solution is to find a JAVA based tools, but I am not sure it will move the issue to another step : Some inconsistency in NTFS configuration.
To be continue
Hey did you resolve you issue?
Well, you can use long path tool for such problems, it really works good.
Yeah indeed it does. But that’s a pretty simple way to for any one, who’s doesn’t have much to with computers.
you can just extract it to a path whose name is shorter. I extracted mine into “C:\a” and it seems so solve to problem.
@Oolon : absolutely right, that way also it becomes easier. but still sometimes it might give you error.
For such issues, Long Path Tool works.
You don’t have to do so much. Download B1 Free Archiver from http://b1.org/. It will extract any damaged files without the extracted file getting corrupted.
Absolutely but this post is about the cure, not prevention 😎
I suggest to try “Long Path Tool” program .
before I have problem cannot extract winzip file because file name too long. and after I found long path tool and now my problem solved
I have also face this type of error problems and I have used Long Path Tool in this situation and it helped me easily and quickly. This tool can fix all this type error
Some of you here are saying try long path tool but why to try something dedicated to just one problem. It does not solve slow transfer rate nor will provide you email notification when your transfer/backup is done. I would suggest to try GS Richcopy 360. It worked for me and for my enterprise. Give it a try!