Windows 10: Fix Req for Path Too Long Issue & One Drive for Bus Sync Issues

Hi guys. Can't seem to find anything in old posts.

Following a huge struggle to get One Drive for Business working on a Windows 10 Pro single seat account I've run into the 'path too long' and 'invalid character' issues when trying to sync files imported from a Mac. In lots of cases.

For those interested the fix for the initial sync problem (after close to an hour on a remote link with Miscrosoft support, and the notebook initially being blamed) turned out to be to disable (click on the button) the 'prevent use of one drive for file storage' in the Windows Local Group Policy Editor. (possible only on Win 10 Pro as here: How to enable/disable OneDrive for file storage in Windows 10 [Tip] | Reviews, news, tips, and tricks | dotTechdotTech ) I'm not too sure why it was set that way - but maybe a competing cloud storage product I was running did it?

The subsequent 'path too long' issue is probably the result of a multi layer folder structure/tree ganing some extra layers in One Drive. The invalid characters because while they were OK on the previous Mac they are disallowed in Windows.

I don't want to delete files, but am happy to restructure the tree and to rename files to shorten the paths where needed - but it'd be helpful to be able to first search the folders to find them. Also to be able to rename them before running the sync.

Can anybody recommend a reliably safe app that will permit this? ie search, then rename and/or amend file structure on the PC before running the sync. Surprising that it's seemingly not already included in Windows pro.....

There's several out there, but they don't inspire confidence re. security/freedom from crapware/bugs. Neither do the download sites from which they are offered - but maybe this is a mistaken impression?

Alternatively - am I missing something?

It takes ages to sync the quite large number of files, and I'm presuming that when I do (based on a quick trial) that I won't be able to edit from within the resulting problem files report - but perhaps there is a fix that doesn't require a third party app?

Thanks
ian

:)

 

File path too long for extraction from external hard drive

Hi Angie,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Community.

We appreciate your interest in Windows 10.

How exactly are you trying to extract the files?

Windows only supports a 256-character string size limit because of the MAX_PATH variable. The real underlying path can then be accessed independently of the real length of the path. Hence you get the error code as mentioned above.

Hope this helps!

Get back to us if you have queries regarding Windows, we will be happy to help you.



Thank you,

Microsoft Community.

 

File path too long for extraction from external hard drive

I found that skipping these helped with not reloading some corrupted files. It also means that some documents have added protection from being copied without permission.

 

This is just to bump the question again.

Is the message displaying correctly?

Guess I'm wondering why the headings is diaplaying in normal text and not bold too.

ian

 

The message/question appears to be displaying correctly and the Subject line is in bold but the line above is in normal/black text. Another section of the Forum and one post shows that upper line in blue text.