Files, Folders, or Path Names with More Than 259 Characters Are Not Displayed

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

SYMPTOMS

When you create a new file or folder on a network share with a path containing more than 259 characters (including the drive letter and "\" characters) using Windows Explorer, the computer containing the share may not be able to access the file or folder. However, computers that connect to the share across the network can view the file or folder with a path containing more than 259 characters.

CAUSE

The longest file name or path that Windows Explorer can accept is 259 characters, including the drive letter and "\" characters.

RESOLUTION

Even though a folder that contains multiple long file names is not directly accessible from Windows Explorer, you can gain access to the files and folders by typing net path \\computername\path at a command prompt. You can also gain access to the files and folders at a command prompt using 8.3 file names (for example, Longfi~1.txt).

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbtool
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb