Issue

You try to copy, move, delete, or rename a file or a folder, and you get a message similar to this:

Details

The reason for this is that the maximum file path in Windows environments is 260 characters. This includes everything from the drive letter (“X”) to the file extension (“.docx”). 

Note: Unfortunately, there is no way to change this Windows-imposed maximum file path limit.

Solution Steps

1. Shorten the names of your folders and files
2. Not nest files so deeply within folders. 
3. Stanford University has a very nice write-up on best practices for file naming.

Note: as long as you keep your naming convention the same, you will continue to encounter this issue.