syntax for deleting extremely long file names

  • Thread starter Thread starter Axel Larson
  • Start date Start date
A

Axel Larson

IE sometimes creates file names that are too long to delete via any normal
interface.

I once saw the syntax for deleting these names from a command prompt but, of
course, can't find it now that I need it again. It is something like "del
\?:\??\filename". As best as I can remember, the slashes and question marks
call into play a raw interface that can handle a maximum-length filename.

I've tried programs from such experts as SysInternals but even they can't
handle this one.

Do you know this trick?
 
I've used del \\.\c:\dir\dir\con.example.txt to delete a file with an
illegal "con." in the filename. I don't know if this works for long
filenames.

Regards

Oli
 
Or from a command prompt
dir /x
and try deleting them using their 8.3 short names.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
Microsoft Certified Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/protect


:
| IE sometimes creates file names that are too long to delete via any normal
| interface.
|
| I once saw the syntax for deleting these names from a command prompt but,
of
| course, can't find it now that I need it again. It is something like "del
| \?:\??\filename". As best as I can remember, the slashes and question
marks
| call into play a raw interface that can handle a maximum-length filename.
|
| I've tried programs from such experts as SysInternals but even they can't
| handle this one.
|
| Do you know this trick?
| --
| Axel Larson
|
|
 
That looks like the solution I had in mind. However, I solved this one with
another trick I learned a few years ago -- I moved the immediate containing
directory to the corresponding spot in another user's Internet Temporary
Files and used that copy of IE to delete all files.
Works fine.
--
Axel Larson

Oli Restorick said:
I've used del \\.\c:\dir\dir\con.example.txt to delete a file with an
illegal "con." in the filename. I don't know if this works for long
filenames.

Regards

Oli
Click to expand...
 

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