Windows file handler takes over when file names are too long.
When merging large sets of files recently I repeatedly ran into an issue with Windows file handler processing requests when it shouldn’t be. After doing a further breakdown, I came down to five files that were causing Windows file handler to take over. These files have extremely long file names, as well as a ton of meta data attached to them.
A breakdown of troubleshooting performed:
1) Wait it out — no success.
2) Check for updates — there are none.
3) Restart — failed.
4) Locating problem files — Located five with extremely long names
5) Reducing folder structure depth — partial success, two still fail.
6) Manual drag and drop to TeraCopy — absolutely no response from TeraCopy, regardless if you select just the offending file, five files, or 500.
7) Right clicking and selecting TeraCopy from the dropdown menu — Multiple issues:
….7.a) If you select just the offending file, or a small group of files, say 10, the TeraCopy option will be completely missing — No go.
….7.b) If you select a large group of files, say 500, the TeraCopy option will be present on the dropdown. However, when you click it, only the file you right clicked will be inserted into a TeraCopy file list. And once again, if you right click the offending file, the TeraCopy option will simply be missing.
Not sure if this has been reported before, but it is kind of odd. Hopefully the added troubleshooting can help locate the issue.
I am using TeraCopy Pro 3.17
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Comments5
Aug 4, 2025
PinnedWe’ve fixed the issue of dragging and dropping files between folders with excessively long paths.
However, a few issues still persist:
Explorer doesn’t seem to refresh the folder content if the path is too long.
When files are dragged from a folder with an excessively long path, Explorer displays an Internet security warning. After clicking OK, everything works normally.
Code Sector
Aug 4, 2025
Dropping files into the TeraCopy window:
Windows should not have a limit on the number of files that can be dropped.
When a file has a long filename or path, Windows compresses it into a shortened 8.3 name (e.g., NAME~1.EXT).
We’ve just added a feature to convert the compressed name back to the original path.
Code Sector
Aug 2, 2025
Number 7 is fixed with new context menu handler:
https://ideas.codesector.com/p/function-new-folder-with-items-improvement
Code Sector
Jul 15, 2025
Is it long file name or total file path? Could you please provide an example?
Most probably it’s a limit in the Explorer or drag and drop handler.
6) Please make sure that TeraCopy is not in Admin mode.
tibtibs
Jul 15, 2025
It appears to be the total file path. If I put the file at the top of my W: drive, TeraCopy will move it to the next folder with a drag and drop. By the time I get to W:/Test/Test and try to move it to W:/Test/Test/Test, windows takes over.
It is worth mentioning at this point that Windows does not move the file properly during a drag-and-drop and instead makes a copy of it. Furthermore, Windows cannot rename the file properly at this point either, and trying to rename it silently fails, the name simply reverting back. However, Windows is able to cut and paste the file when told to do so. And if there is a duplicate, it is able to warn me and overwrite the duplicate correctly.
I don’t believe TeraCopy is in admin mode. I don’t get a warning like I do if I start it with Ctrl+Shift+Click / “Run as administrator”. Let me know if you are referring to something else and I am misinterpreting this.