Windows file paths longer than 255 characters – Options and Troubleshooting

Overview

The File Explorer in Windows Operating systems has a 255 character path limit. While Microsoft offers some partial alternatives to increase the path depth, they do not universally work and provide an inconsistent user experience.

Over time, users tend to deepen the folder structure and exceed the 255 character path limit that File Explorer and many applications in Windows are limited to. This deep folder problem is best controlled by careful monitoring and appropriate user notifications when a file path grows close to the 255 character limit.

However, some alternatives do exist using MyWorkDrive for scenarios which require deeper path depths.

Alternatives with MyWorkDrive

MyWorkDrive Servers running version 6.2 and later can support files with a path longer than 255-characters using the MyWorkDrive Web Client, if the appropriate adjustments are made to the operating system on the MyWorkDrive server and File Servers. To leverage this functionality, there are some considerations/limitations to be aware of and they are covered below.

After performing the steps under the configuration section, files with paths longer than 255-characters should be accessible in the Web Client. If you experience any issues or have any additional questions, please contact MyWorkDrive support at support@myworkdrive.com or submit a ticket via our helpdesk here.

 

Consideration/Limitations

• For a consistent and worry-free interaction with files that have paths longer than 255-characters, the MyWorkDrive Web Client must be used. The reason the Web Client works is because it leverages the Windows API and does not use Windows File Explorer for its operations.
• If any user, including an administrator, tries to interact with files using Windows File Explorer (either directly via SMB or while using the MyWorkDrive Desktop Client), that user will likely experience issues accessing or interacting with the file(s).
• Microsoft Office has a hard limit of 250 characters for file names. If a user attempts to save, open, or modify a file with more characters – outside of the MyWorkDrive Web Client – it will error and fail.
• From our experience, these are some examples of limitations/issues you may experience:
  – Using Windows File Explorer (through the MyWorkDrive Desktop Client or directly via SMB), files may be able to be opened, edited, and saved with some applications, but cannot be renamed by selecting “rename” in the right-click menu or hitting “F2.”
  – Temp file creation may fail resulting in file operation issues and discarding changes (errors will indicate if this occurs and inform the user). Temporary files are frequently created by applications during the document editing process, and MyWorkDrive will use temporary files as part of the file saving process.Note that these types of issues were noted to occur on Windows 10 and Windows 11 with the additional path depth registry entry enabled and testing with the local file system. Similar issues were noted with the MyWorkDrive client for Windows.

Configuration

Completing these steps will enable long path support in the MyWorkdrive Web Client.

• MyWorkDrive Server 6.2 or later is required.
• SSO must be enabled and used for login by users.
  – Username and password login will NOT work.
  – SSO leverages Windows API which allows access to file paths over 255-characters. Username and password users older technology where Microsoft has not provided increased path depth support.
• The following registry key value must be set on both your MyWorkDrive server and your file server(s). After setting the registry key value, a reboot is required.
  – Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem\LongPathsEnabled (Type: REG_DWORD) must exist and be set to 1.
  – Please review the following Microsoft article for additional details regarding enabling increased path depth support and registry edits: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/fileio/maximum-file-path-limitation?tabs=registry

Troubleshooting

SSO not enabled

Error
Access to the deep path is made with Username and password login, not SSO.

Resolution
Follow this guide for configuring SSO in MyWorkDrive: https://www.myworkdrive.com/support/sso-setup-overview/

 

Registry not configured on MWD Server or File Server

Error
MyWorkDrive Web Client – missing share in the web client:

MyWorkDrive Desktop Client – missing share in the desktop client. The following error will appear if no other shares are available:

 

Resolution
1. The following registry key must be set on your MyWorkDrive server and your file server:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem\LongPathsEnabled (Type: REG_DWORD) must exist and be set to 1.

Please review the following Microsoft article for additional details: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/fileio/maximum-file-path-limitation?tabs=registry

2. The MyWorkDrive and File Server were not rebooted after the registry changes where completed.
Reboot the appropriate servers.