Microsoft removes 260 character limit for NTFS Path in new Windows 10 Insider Preview

Reading time icon 1 min. read


Readers help support MSPoweruser. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Tooltip Icon

Read the affiliate disclosure page to find out how can you help MSPoweruser effortlessly and without spending any money. Read more

windows-10

The maximum length for a path (file name and its directory route) — also known as MAX_PATH — has been defined by 260 characters. But with the latest Windows 10 Insider preview, Microsoft is giving users the ability to increase the limit.

The recent most Windows 10 preview is enabling users to change the 260 characters limit. As mentioned in the description, “Enabling NTFS long paths will allow manifested win32 applications and Windows Store applications to access paths beyond the normal 260 char limit per node.”

ntfs-260-characters

If you wish to utilize this feature, however, you will be required to make some edits to using Group Policy. Follow the steps below:

  1. Open Group Policy Editor (Press Windows Key and type gpedit.msc and hit Enter key.
  2. Navigate to the following directory:  Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Filesystem > NTFS.
  3. Click Enable NTFS long paths option and enable it.

More about the topics: microsoft, windows 10, Windows 10 Insider