Windows, ever since its introduction, has given birth to a new world of computer science. It is an operating system that is not only easy to use but is secure and offers a plethora of features. However, there are some minor problems that users often face. One of them is the inability to rename files when the name is too long or in other words, contains a large number of characters.
Windows, by default, does not allow files with more than 260 characters to be relocated and renamed. This has kept thousands of users confused about the error message saying, “The Filename would be too long for the destination folder”. Users have tried several techniques to make it work but in vain.
In this article, we are going to share the most effective techniques to counter this issue and hope that they work as efficiently for you, as they did for us.
Let’s begin.
Zip and Unzip Folders
The first thing you could try when it comes to renaming large files is zipping and unzipping folders. To do this, you will need to zip the folder which contains the files with long names/characters. Then, you should shift it to the root directory. Once the folders have been moved, unzip the folders and Windows will allow you to edit the files within.
Renaming Parent Folders
Another way of renaming large files is by changing the name of the parent folder or folders. To do this, you will begin by visiting the folder that contains the long character files. Then, you will rename the folder to a shorter title for e.g. two. Once the folder is renamed, open the document/file. Now, using ‘Save As’ or simple ‘Save’, change the name of the document/file. Check if you are able to open the document/file. If yes, then you are good to go.
In case the document/file fails to open, change the location of the folder or file.
Remember! Simply renaming parent folders in some cases might not help i.e. the document/file might fail to open. Therefore, after you have changed the title to a shorter name, cut the folder that contains the files and paste it to a new location. Hopefully, this shall work.
Renaming Large Files Using Regedit
You wouldn’t have seen this coming but you can make Windows accept files with large names as well. Simply follow the steps mentioned below:
- Hold ‘+ R’ and launch the command prompt. Type ‘Regedit’ and click ‘OK.
- The command prompt will open a windowpane on the left. From there, tap ‘HKey_Local_Machine’. Then, visit the ‘System’ section. Now that you are in the system section, tap ‘CurrentControlSet’. Make your way into the ‘Control’ section and then, ‘File System’. Double-Click ‘LongPathsEnabled’. A window will pop up, change the ‘Value Data’ to 1. Now restart your system and the problem should vanish. This will allow files with large names to be moved and successfully open.
Renaming Large Files Using Easy File Renamer
If everything else does not work for you, then this definitely will. Easy File Renamer is a tool that allows its users to rename images, documents, audio and video files with ease, regardless of the size. Its easy-to-use interface and the efficient uploading and renaming capability make it one of the best renaming tools out there. So, if you have files with long names, bring it to Easy File Renamer. It will work like a charm.
Follow the steps below:
- Visit EasyFileRenamer.com and download Easy File Renamer
- Once downloaded, launch Easy File Renamer
- You will come across Easy File Renamer’s user-friendly interface, waiting to rename files for you
- You could either select just files or files located inside a folder. Locate the large files or the folder that contains large files or files with long names and click ‘OK’.
- Easy File Renamer uploads all files in just a few moments
- Since you intend to rename large files or files with long names, Easy File Renamer offers plenty of options in that respect.
- Select the ‘New Name’ option from the renaming rules and type a new name in the ‘Name’ section.
- Once you have inserted the new name, tap ‘Add Rule’. Easy File Renamer will let you preview the large files or files with long names featuring new renamed titles under the ‘New Name’ section. Proceed to tap the green-coloured ‘Rename’ option down below to permanently rename files.
