Filename too long - IMPOSSIBLE to delete/move/rename

Question

I can`t delete a folder because it has LOTS of folders inside it. Believe me, it is really lots.

(E:\Backups\john\Users\john\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\USERDA~1\Default\PLUGIN~1\GOOGLE~1\MAILGO~1.COM\HTTPS_~1\GOOGLE~1\41\67\34\0\69\24\78\58\62\64\5\45\81\27\61\91\95\42\27\36\91\4\2\53\92\82\21\16\18\95\47\26\71\38\69\12\67\99\35\94)

The path is even longer...

I have tried several ways for deleting it: "Unlocker Tool", "rd /s" in Command Prompt, "subst x: e:\backups\john" in Command Prompt, no one was effective.

It's IMPOSSIBLE to rename/move files.

I don't want to break up anything, so please think through your answer.

How can I get rid of it?

Answer 1

Try the rm utility in my Hamilton C shell. I wrote it using the new long Unicode filename format interally, so if the problem is just that the name is too long, this should get it. It sounds like this is a one-time thing, so the free demo version is all you need. If you don't want it afterward, it uninstalls cleanly in seconds.

If you try it and it doesn't work, please tell me as I'd like to fix it so it will.

Answer 2

I know this will sound cumbersome, but I have had success with this process.

• Boot to Safe Mode
• Attempt to delete the item while in Safe Mode.
• If this FAILS, stay in Safe Mode and drop to a command prompt
• Change directories all the way to the end of the path in question.
• Do a DIR /A:H to show in hidden files
• using the command prompt, delete all files in this directory
• Move up one level in the directory structure, repeat the DIR /A:H and deletion process
• Keep moving up until the total path name is less than 254 characters in length. Then you should be able to delete everything from a point higher up in the folder hierarchy.

Answer 3

Split the folder, but copy it to drive C or something else, not to the other folder.

Then you can delete it.