when i copy files from my usb drive to desktop i get an Error message = destination path too long when copying files and folders

i use a 32 gb usb drive as a backup for all of my files on my laptop... i was able to easily copy all of my files from the laptop to the usb (in multiple layers of folders)... but then i tried to copy the files from the usb drive to my desktop and receved the error "destination path too long.. the file name would be too long for the destination folder, you can shorten the file name and try again, or try a location that has a shorter path.  

So how do i get these files (in the same folder structure) over to my desktop?

thanks
Joe