files-community / files-community/Files

Feature: Add full support for `\\?\` (256 character limit bypass)

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#14,865 9 comments 9 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub
area - file system
Dominant language
C#
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Description

### What feature or improvement do you think would benefit Files?

`\\?\` can be used to bypass the 256 characters limit windows has. Files however doesn't interact with it fully only being able to read the folder files and nothing else.

Can be tested using
```
mkdir "\\?\C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Downloads\aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa\FolderThatMakesPathToLong"
```

### Requirements

- Auto add `\\?\` to path (This could probably be hidden to users as it doesn't change anything with smaller paths once the below is also fixed)
- This should NOT be done for MTP devices (Compatibility should be checked on Network drives and FTP folders)
- Alternatively could be added for path longer then 256 characters only
- Add support for normal functions (Opening files, File operations, Creating new files, renaming existing ones, etc)
- Commands would have to be absolute paths and not relative ones as it wont work.
- Manual path `/` would have to be converted to `\` before parsing
- Recycle bin won't work with long paths for deleting, Make sure Permeant delete dialog and check shows following user setting

### Files Version

3.2.4.0

### Windows Version

10.0.22621.3155

### Comments

_No response_

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