Windows Explorer doesn’t allow long filenames (e.g., 12+ character

  • Thread starter Thread starter Richard Evans
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Richard Evans

This post has been revised since receiving helpful advice from Rey Santos &
Don Varnau.

I am running XP Professional SP2 with 1 GB RAM on a Dell Inspiron 9100
laptop. Most of my computer work is related to my photography profession.
Naming files (& copying/moving them) in Windows Explorer is a major, required
part of my work (I have over 10,000 photo files).

However, recently Windows Explorer won’t allow long filenames (e.g., over 12
characters). I frequently get a message that a filename is invalid or too
long, even though I have been using/copying filenames equal or longer (e.g.,
30+ characters) for the past two years.

Also, when I try to copy/move an existing file (with a long filename) from
one folder to another, Windows Explorer freezes & an error message indicates
that it has “encountered a problem & must shut downâ€.

With regard to malware, I regularly use programs for detecting viruses (CA’s
eTrust EZ Antivirus) plus CA’s spam control, the Microsoft “Malicious
Software Removal Toolâ€, ad-ware, etc.

Please advise!

Thank you,

Richard Evans
 
This is from some notes on an issue like this - no guarantees -

Windows NT/2000/XP
If you are using Windows NT/2000/XP and have it set to use NTFS, a registry value that
determines whether NTFS generates a short file name in the 8.3 naming convention for each
long file name must be set to 0. This setting is the default setting when you install the
operating system. If this registry value is set to 1, NTFS will not create the short file
name.

It is possible that this value could have been changed - either manually or by a program..

To check the registry key and change it if necessary:

1. Click Start>Run.
2. Type regedit and then click OK.
3. Navigate to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Filesystem
4. In the right hand pane, right-click the following value, and then click Modify:
NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation
5. Change the number in the Value data box to: 0
Please note that this is a DWORD value, not a String or Binary value.
6. Click OK.
7. Click Registry, and then click Exit.

For further help; See:-
Description of the Microsoft Windows registry
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986
How to back up, edit, and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to
reinstall your operating system. Use the information provided at your own risk.


--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco


| This post has been revised since receiving helpful advice from Rey Santos &
| Don Varnau.
|
| I am running XP Professional SP2 with 1 GB RAM on a Dell Inspiron 9100
| laptop. Most of my computer work is related to my photography profession.
| Naming files (& copying/moving them) in Windows Explorer is a major, required
| part of my work (I have over 10,000 photo files).
|
| However, recently Windows Explorer won't allow long filenames (e.g., over 12
| characters). I frequently get a message that a filename is invalid or too
| long, even though I have been using/copying filenames equal or longer (e.g.,
| 30+ characters) for the past two years.
|
| Also, when I try to copy/move an existing file (with a long filename) from
| one folder to another, Windows Explorer freezes & an error message indicates
| that it has "encountered a problem & must shut down".
|
| With regard to malware, I regularly use programs for detecting viruses (CA's
| eTrust EZ Antivirus) plus CA's spam control, the Microsoft "Malicious
| Software Removal Tool", ad-ware, etc.
|
| Please advise!
|
| Thank you,
|
| Richard Evans
|
 
Hello John,

In “Properties > General†for ‘C’ drive, the file system indicated is NTFS.

Thanks for your assistance.

Richard Evans

P.S. Please see my 3/28/08 reply to Shenan Stanly’s 3/28/08 comment, found
in my 3/26/08 post under the same subject (posted twice by mistake).
 
Hello TaurArian,
The value is already set to ‘0’. Let me know if this isn’t OK, or if more
info would be useful.

Thanks for your assistance,

Richard Evans

P.S. Please see my 3/28/08 reply to Shenan Stanly’s 3/28/08 comment, found
in my 3/26/08 post under the same subject (posted twice by mistake).
 
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