Windows 10 Allows File Paths Longer Than 260 Characters (Via Registry Hack)
Since Windows 95, Microsoft only allowed file paths up to 260 characters (which, frankly, was much better than the 8 character limit before). Now, with your registry set up, you can exceed that amount on Windows 10.
As How-To Geek points out, to enable long file paths, you need to edit the registry. Start with the following steps:
- Open the start menu and type “regedit”. Launch the application.
- Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem - Right-click the LongPathsEnabled value and select Modify.
- Change the “Data Value” from 0 to 1.
- Click OK.
You should now be able to use much longer file paths. One caveat: this can cause some compatibility issues with older 32-bit applications. If you are no longer using 32-bit software, or are simply in dire need of very long file paths, this setting should help you.
How to force Windows 10 to accept file paths longer than 260 characters | How-To Geek