Maximum Path Length Limitation

To enable long file paths in Windows Server, you need to modify a Group Policy or registry setting to allow paths longer than 260 characters (MAX_PATH). This feature is available on Windows Server 2016 and newer (as well as Windows 10/11) and only works with applications that support the \\?\ prefix.

Option 1: Enable via Group Policy

  • Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.

  • Navigate to:

    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Filesystem

  • Find and double-click:

    Enable Win32 long paths

  • Set it to Enabled, then click OK.

  • Restart your system (or reboot the server) to apply the change.

Option 2: Enable via Registry Editor

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

  2. Navigate to:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem

  3. Look for a value named:

    LongPathsEnabled

    • If it doesn't exist, right-click on the right panel, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it LongPathsEnabled.

  4. Set the value to:

    1

  5. Restart your system to apply the changes.

Notes:

  • The application must be manifest-aware and use the correct APIs or \\?\ syntax to support long paths.

  • Some older applications will still not support long paths, even with this enabled.

  • Make sure your Windows version is updated (this feature is supported from Server 2016, Windows 10 v1607+).

REFERENCES

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