DOCUMENT:Q104182  04-NOV-1993  [W_NT]
TITLE   :NT May Be Unable to Use Files in Directories with Long Names
PRODUCT :Windows NT
PROD/VER:3.10
OPER/SYS:WINDOWS
KEYWORDS:buglist3.10

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The information in this article applies to:
 
 - Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
 - Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
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SYMPTOMS
========
 
In Windows NT, when you try to access or use a file on an NTFS
partition in a directory with a very long name, you may receive
various error messages and be unable to manipulate the file.

RESOLUTION
==========
 
To workaround this problem, use a shorter name for the directory.

 
MORE INFORMATION
================

Steps to Reproduce Problem
--------------------------
 
1. On an NTFS drive X, create the following directory (245 characters)
   with File Manager:
 
   X:\1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567
   8901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567
   8901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567
   89012345678901234567890123456789012345
 
   NOTE: To create this directory name, use a text editor such as Notepad
   to copy 1234567890 to the Clipboard and in the File Manager's Create
   Directory dialog box, use CTRL+V 24 times, and then add the last 5
   numbers to make a 245 character directory name.
 
2. In the Accessories group window, double-click the Notepad icon,
   or use the arrow keys to select the Notepad icon, and then press
   ENTER.
 
3. Type the following:

      This is a Test.
 
4. Save the file in the above directory as 1234567.123
 
5. Switch to File Manager.
 
6. Try to delete the file 123456.123 just created with Notepad.
 
   You will receive the following error message:
 
      File Manager Cannot Delete
      X:\1234567890....123456789012345\1234567.123
 
      The System Cannot Find the File Specified.
      Make Sure the Correct Path and Filename are Specified and the
      Network is Started.
 
   You may also experience other problems when trying to use this file in
   a Command Prompt (CMD.EXE). You will receive this error message if the
   total length of the directory name and the file name exceed 241
   characters.
 
-or-
 
1. At a Command Prompt, create a file in the above subdirectory called
   1234567.123 and then execute the following command:
 
      REN 1234567.123 TEST.TXT
 
   You will receive the following error message:
 
      There are no more files.
 
2. At a Command Prompt, create a file in the above subdirectory
   called 123456.123 and then execute the following command:
 
      DEL 123456.123
 
   You will receive the following error message:
 
      File not found.
 
Additional reference words: 3.10
KBCategory:
KBSubcategory: filsys ntap

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