How to remove files with very long file names

  • Thread starter Thread starter Curtis Fray
  • Start date Start date
C

Curtis Fray

Hi,

On a Windows 2000 Server I've found some users have been saving files with
extremely long file names. I am unable to delete, rename or move them from
within Windows. From looking through other posts I've found I can rename
them by using DOS and displaying their 8.3 file names but there are a lot of
them in different locations so I need to somehow find all files with these
long invalid names. Does anyone know of a tool or script that can search for
them and, ideally, rename them too?

As a last resort, does anyone know of a deleting powertool that will get rid
of everything in a specified directory no questions asked? At the moment if
I try the invalid file names give me an error saying it can't find the
specified file.

Thanks,

Curtis.
 
Curtis said:
Hi,

On a Windows 2000 Server I've found some users have been saving files with
extremely long file names. I am unable to delete, rename or move them from
within Windows. From looking through other posts I've found I can rename
them by using DOS and displaying their 8.3 file names but there are a lot of
them in different locations so I need to somehow find all files with these
long invalid names. Does anyone know of a tool or script that can search for
them and, ideally, rename them too?

As a last resort, does anyone know of a deleting powertool that will get rid
of everything in a specified directory no questions asked? At the moment if
I try the invalid file names give me an error saying it can't find the
specified file.
Click to expand...

Don't know if this helps but there is a super bulk renaming utility that
might help in changing many files at once to more tractable filenames.

You can get it at:

http://www.bulkrenameutility.co.uk/Main_Intro.php

I use it for changing digital camera files to more sensible filenames
and also for naming MP3 and video files so that they display better in
my various players but yours might be another good application.
 
Thanks for the info, Sid. Unfortunately it hasn't helped in this case. It
gives me an error when trying to rename the names that are too long.

Having said that, it's a fantastic little utility so I'm sure it will come
in useful in the future!

Thanks again,

Curtis.

--
 
Curtis said:
Thanks for the info, Sid. Unfortunately it hasn't helped in this case. It
gives me an error when trying to rename the names that are too long.

Having said that, it's a fantastic little utility so I'm sure it will come
in useful in the future!
Click to expand...

Ah - was afraid of that. Presumably it's going through Windows to pick
up the filename and if Windows can't handle it ....

I did stumble across this:

http://www.theeldergeek.com/delete_undeletable_file.htm

I didn't read it in any detail (and it might just apply to XP) but it
looks as if it could be a lead.
 
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