Yesterday when extracting a ZIP file created with WinRAR I received dozens of errors during the process. The file I was extracting was generated from the entire Documents and Settings folder on a Windows XP computer and I was extracting it to the Desktop of another user on another computer. The issue is the fact that the path and/or filename exceeded the 260 characters which is set by WinRAR. Below I show some output from the errors received as well as two tips that should help resolve the problem.
WinRAR ZIP File Extraction Error Logs:
- ! C:\Documents and Settings\Shop\Desktop\sierra.zip: Cannot create Marcus\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\HQ7Q8J5T\mage;kw=body%20image%20issues;!c=sex-love-life;!c=2008;!c=09;!c=10-things-hes-thinking-when-youre-naked;!c=list;sz=120x60;dcopt=ist;tile=2;ord=1561529965128864[1].5
- Total path and file name length must not exceed 260 characters
- ! The system cannot find the path specified.
- ! C:\Documents and Settings\Shop\Desktop\sierra.zip: Cannot create Marcus\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\HQ7Q8J5T\mage;kw=body%20image%20issues;!c=sex-love-life;!c=2008;!c=09;!c=10-things-hes-thinking-when-youre-naked;!c=list;sz=728x90;dcopt=ist;tile=1;ord=1561529965128864[1].5
- Total path and file name length must not exceed 260 characters
- ! The system cannot find the path specified.
- ! C:\Documents and Settings\Shop\Desktop\sierra.zip: Cannot create Marcus\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\HQ7Q8J5T\n;chan=love;sect=lnsunderstandmen;sub=whathethinks;pageid=83pt4j0s;cont=12;tandomad=none;sz=970x66,728x90;pos=1;tile=1;dcopt=ist;pm=1;qsg=D;uvi=0;pc=0;ord=550602[1]
- Total path and file name length must not exceed 260 characters
- ! The system cannot find the path specified.
- ! C:\Documents and Settings\Shop\Desktop\sierra.zip: Cannot create Marcus\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\HQ7Q8J5T\ove;sect=lnsunderstandmen;sub=whathethinks;pageid=83pt4j0s;cont=12;tandomad=none;sz=120x600,160x600,300x600,300x250;pos=5;tile=5;pm=1;qsg=D;uvi=0;pc=0;ord=555802[1]
- Total path and file name length must not exceed 260 characters
- ! The system cannot find the path specified.
- ! C:\Documents and Settings\Shop\Desktop\sierra.zip: Cannot create Marcus\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\HQ7Q8J5T\rstandmen;chan=love;sect=lnsunderstandmen;sub=whathethinks;pageid=83pt4j0s;cont=12;tandomad=none;sz=468x60,728x90;pos=11;tile=11;pm=1;qsg=D;uvi=0;pc=0;ord=550602[1]
- Total path and file name length must not exceed 260 characters
- ! The system cannot find the path specified.
- ! C:\Documents and Settings\Shop\Desktop\sierra.zip: Cannot create Marcus\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\HQ7Q8J5T\rstandmen;chan=love;sect=lnsunderstandmen;sub=whathethinks;pageid=8k0fpvx7;cont=12;tandomad=none;sz=468x60,728x90;pos=11;tile=11;pm=1;qsg=D;uvi=0;pc=0;ord=333702[1]
- Total path and file name length must not exceed 260 characters
- ! The system cannot find the path specified.
- ! C:\Documents and Settings\Shop\Desktop\sierra.zip: Cannot create Marcus\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\HQ7Q8J5T\tive%20body%20image;kw=body%20image%20issues;!c=sex-love-life;!c=2008;!c=09;!c=10-things-hes-thinking-when-youre-naked;!c=list;sz=4x1;tile=3;ord=2333175297282204[1]
- Total path and file name length must not exceed 260 characters
- ! The system cannot find the path specified.
- ! C:\Documents and Settings\Shop\Desktop\sierra.zip: Cannot create Marcus\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\HQ7Q8J5T\ve%20body%20image;kw=body%20image%20issues;!c=sex-love-life;!c=2008;!c=09;!c=10-things-hes-thinking-when-youre-naked;!c=list;sz=4x1;tile=3;ord=3924917962762420[1].5
- Total path and file name length must not exceed 260 characters
- ! The system cannot find the path specified.
- ! C:\Documents and Settings\Shop\Desktop\sierra.zip: Cannot create Marcus\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\HQ7Q8J5T\ve%20body%20image;kw=body%20image%20issues;!c=sex-love-life;!c=2008;!c=09;!c=10-things-hes-thinking-when-youre-naked;!c=list;sz=4x1;tile=3;ord=4045017525028294[1].5
- Total path and file name length must not exceed 260 characters
- ! The system cannot find the path specified.
- ! C:\Documents and Settings\Shop\Desktop\sierra.zip: Cannot create Marcus\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\IA3OYESB\0s0FWnlY98EmUp_WyMSsYSubryOOdoMVYNCQBVXBTvG7OgzvV5NKpY-uDPRYr2PWo3YT21ajxaPlmSQXz4BeN8VtMTe9v0Sp0uzVn2T9B7pX9GU5uBtsdRhynTuX_j2uoaI91sW0POWSNt59OK5QEDlGKqkNk[1].gif
- Total path and file name length must not exceed 260 characters
- ! The system cannot find the path specified.
- ! C:\Documents and Settings\Shop\Desktop\sierra.zip: Cannot create Marcus\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\IA3OYESB\;sz=300x250;klg=en;kt=K;kw64=bGEgbG9iYSBzaGFraXJhIGVuIGVzcGHDsW9s;kga=-1;kr=F;kgg=-1;kcr=us;dc_dedup=1;kmyd=ad_creative_1;tile=1;dcopt=ist;ord=4215402616522453[1].5
- Total path and file name length must not exceed 260 characters
- ! The system cannot find the path specified.
- ! C:\Documents and Settings\Shop\Desktop\sierra.zip: Cannot create Marcus\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\JDN6BX8H\size=728x90;noperf=1;alias=93301008;kvpg=tvlistings[1].aol%2Flistings%2Fky%2Flouisville%2Finsight;kvmn=93301008;target=_blank;aduho=240;grp=155673390;misc=155673390
- Total path and file name length must not exceed 260 characters
- ! The system cannot find the path specified.
As you can see above the files and folders being extracted were deep into one of the users Temporary Internet folders which would explain the extra long paths and the winrar error. Use the tips below to shorten the path that files and folders are being extracted to and this should resolve any errors during the uncompress process.
Tip Number One: Rename WinRAR File
In this example I was extracting a file named sierra.zip which then generates a folder for the files to be extracted to called sierra/. Sometimes the file name will be longer thus adding more characters to the extraction path. You should first rename the ZIP or RAR file to something shorter such as a.rar or a.zip. So in my example it only saves us 5 characters from the length of the path but depending on the name of the file this could save many more characters from the length of the path.
Tip Number Two: Extract To Root Directory
Also in this example I was extracting to a users desktop on a totally different computer but because I was doing this it adds “C:\Documents and Settings\User\Desktop” to the path. Instead if you extract to the root of the C directory this will save a bunch more characters. In this example we save 33 more characters in length.
After using both of the tips above I was able to extract the ZIP file without issue.
Microsoft® Windows® XP Inside Out, Second Edition (Bpg-Inside Out) (Paperback)
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WinRAR 4.00, x32 bit, Archiver & Compression software for MS Windows OS, 1-User Key. (CD-ROM)
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you are using Desktop for extract. (C:/Documents and Settings/Shop/Desktop/sierra.zip)
use only drive name to extract. (C:/ierra.zip)
Hello CG Diksha,
Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback. The article is about exactly what you say in your comment….
Thanks.
alex
You can also have winrar make a self-extractor (.exe) file that will make it work.
THANKS A LOTSSSSS!!!!
you really saved my day..
it works PERFECTLY..
thank you thank you.. (^_^)
Hello rio,
No problem at all. Thanks so much for taking the time to post feedback.
Thanks.
alex
Extracting to the root is the best way to do it. Less hassle, then just move the extracted files back to where you want. Thank for the wonderful tip.
Hello tran,
No problem at all. Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback.
Thanks.
alex
Thanx Alex for the advice on renaming the RAR file to a shorter name, solved my problem, now I know, thanx….
Hello Sean,
No problem. Thanks for posting feedback.
Thanks.
alex
try with 7 zip. It work perfect!
Hello mihaiarte,
No problem. Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback.
Thanks.
alex
Thanks mate, this saved me going mad…… :-)
Hello boyo,
No problem at all. Thanks for posting feedback.
Thanks.
alex
okay, i got this error too, and i knew how to fix it by the time i even saw the error message. but that isn’t my issue, when i broke the operation because of the error, the folder i was trying to extract wasn’t there, but the space was still taken up from my hdd.
any way i could get that space back? i kinda need it.
Hello David,
What specific operating system? Have you rebooted? … sounds like WinRaR still has the file open.
Thanks.
alex
My friend, this is good advice. Nevertheless, I still have issues. When I decompress the file into C: root drive everything is Ok but when I try to move the extracted file to another location it says that “certain files could not be dleted nor moved because the name is too long” any ideas? Cheers
Hello Dark,
You are running into the exact same issue. You will either need to reduce the number of directories in the extracted files, shorten the names of the directories, or some combination of both.
Thanks.
alex
Thanks for Posting………..
Save my time…………..
Hello Amal,
No problem. Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback.
Thanks.
alex
Thanks ^_^
Hello Yumi,
No problem. Thanks for posting feedback.
Thanks.
alex
Thanks man… u save my day!
Hello nahrafqifahs,
No problem. Glad we could help save the day!
Thanks.
alex
thanks a lot, people like u make the internet awesome
Hello dizzo,
No problem at all. Thanks for leaving feedback!~
Thanks.
alex
thanx alot !
Hello yce,
No problem. Thanks for posting feedback.
Thanks.
alex
thanks a lot, awesome tip number 2. You save my day too, thanks again
Hello bo0x,
No problem. Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback.
Thanks.
alex
it works properly,
thank you very much,
have a nice day.. :-)
Hello scarface,
Great to hear. Thanks for posting feedback.
Thanks.
alex
Thanks tip 2 great
Hello David,
No problem. Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback.
Thanks.
alex
Thanks man It works :)
Hello NIkola,
No problem. Thanks for posting feedback.
Thanks.
alex
Thanks a ton for the solution. No doubt its a very simple tip but it helped me a lot & saved lots of time.
Hello Thanks,
No problem at all. Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback.
Thanks.
alex
I have an error msg while extracting files using winrar. The msg is
“The system cannot find the file specified”
Hello Ashwdeep,
That would seem to indicate that whatever file you are attempting to extract does not exist. You might try renaming the file, right click it, and extract from that menu that will appear.
Thanks.
alex
Thanks man…its work.
Hello mm,
No problem. Thanks for leaving feedback.
Thanks.
alex
I’m in a fix: I use Windows 7, and I downloaded a .rar archive which was split into 7 parts, and I’m pretty sure it was created under the Linux OS, so within the archive itself some file path names were longer than the 260 character limit for windows. Even when I moved the part files to the root directory, some files just won’t extract. I even renamed the part files to single character names, but long folder names within the archive cannot be renamed, the rename option is greyed out in winrar. Is there a “combine part files” option within winrar to ‘unsplit’ the archive WITHOUT extracting? I’ve succeeded in combining them using 7zip, but neither winrar or 7zip would let me rename folders within the combined archive, and some files were also missing in the combined archive, most likely skipped due to long path names. Just in case it matters, the archive is also password protected, but I have the password. Any helpful advice? Like third party programs I could use to rename those folders within the archive? Or any other workaround methods. Sorry for the wall of text. Thanks in advance.
Hello VVen,
You might try installing VMWare Player and launch a version of Linux to extract the file? You can get configured versions of Linux such as Backtrack Linux that come in the VMWare Player format already.
Thanks.
alex
Thank you worked great for me :)
Hello Appreciated,
No problem. Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback.
Thanks.
alex
Great tip! Thank you, using the root worked great.
Hello Verne,
No problem. Thanks for posting feedback.
Thanks.
alex
Thanks..Extract to root worked for me..
Hello Killer,
Great to hear! Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback.
Thanks.
alex
Well… these tips are useless since they save just a few characters. I have a better solution for ya: use total commander. It can handle long paths. WAY longer paths than 260 characters.
cheers
Hello betterTips,
That would always be an option but for a quick work around I personally would still prefer the solution in the article. Thanks for taking the time to offer your opinion.
Thanks.
alex
two tips not worked,it is showin same error,all songs are playing,i cannot unzipping it,how can i do this
Hello suresh,
This would mean that the length is still longer than what is allowed. You might try unpacking on a different OS if you continue to have the same issue.
Thanks.
alex
thanks the Root direcroy top helped :D
Hello salll,
Great to hear the article helped you resolve your issue. Thanks for taking the time to post feedback.
Thanks.
alex
Very useful article. after reading this, I applied and its working. thanks
Hello SIDDU abadboy,
No problem. Thanks for posting feedback.
Thanks.
alex
hey alex thanks a lot man for your useful tips.both ur tips worked g8t 4 me…
thanks … tip number two works … :))
Thanks. Tip #2 worked.
Hello Ethan,
No problem. Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback.
Thanks.
alex
You can also have winrar make a self-extractor (.exe) file that will make it work.
Hi Alex,
You’re clear 2 prong step-by-step instructions provided me with the quick resolution I needed.
Thank you very much for taking the time to post those clear useful notes on this issue.
Sound. Good luck.