I have a large file system and am having difficulties with deeper folder levels hitting the maximum path length. I have seen article talking about the "\\?\" prefix to enable 32,000+ characters, rather than the standard ~255. I do not know if this can be applied.
I need to use Windows File System normally (i.e. Explorer - via GUI), but with long paths. Is there any setting (anything else?) that will allow for this?
Thanks if someone can advise...
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Well I didn't copy and paste from another thread...i got it right from the msdn article at the bottom of the post if it makes any difference.
Unfortunately I am not a programmer and have no idea how to use the Windows API to reference a path using the specified prefix. As far as I can tell, being that this functionality is part of the Windows API, it cannot be changed by any means in the Explorer gui.
It does state however, "It may be possible to create a path with the API that the shell UI cannot handle."...of course MS gave no reference to what that possibility might be...sorry DevelopHer
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by: DVation191Posted on 2004-08-12 at 08:21:23ID: 11784676
In the Windows API, the maximum length for a path is MAX_PATH, which is defined as 260 characters. A path is structured as follows: drive letter, colon, backslash, components separated by backslashes, and a null-terminating character. For example, the maximum path on the D drive is D:\<256 chars>NUL.
The Unicode versions of several functions permit a maximum path length of 32,767 characters, composed of components up to 255 characters in length. To specify such a path, use the "\\?\" prefix. For example, "\\?\D:\<path>". To specify such a UNC path, use the "\\?\UNC\" prefix. For example, "\\?\UNC\<server>\<share>"
When using the API to create a directory, the specified path cannot be so long that you could not append an 8.3 file name.
Note that the shell and the file system may have different requirements. It may be possible to create a path with the API that the shell UI cannot handle.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/