How to Make Windows 10 Accept File Paths Over 260 Characters

Windows Doesn't Accept Long Paths by Default

Before Windows 95, Windows only allowed file names that were eight characters long, with a three-character file extension — commonly known as an 8.3 filename. Windows 95 abandoned that to allow long file names, but still limited the maximum path length (which includes the full folder path and the file name) to 260 characters. That limit has been in place ever since. If you've ever run into this limit, it was probably when you were trying to copy deep folder structures into other folders, such as when copying the contents of a hard drive to a folder on another drive. The Windows 10 Anniversary Update finally added the option to abandon that maximum path length.

There is one caveat. This new setting won't necessarily work with every application out there, but it will work with most. Specifically, any modern applications should be fine, as should all 64-bit applications. Older 32-bit applications need to be manifested in order to work, which really just means that the developer has indicated in the application's manifest file that the application supports longer paths. Most popular 32-bit apps should experience no problem. Still, you don't risk anything by trying the setting out. If an application doesn't work, the only thing that will happen is that it won't be able to open or save files that are saved in places where the full path exceeds 260 characters.
Home Users: Remove the 260 Character Path Limit by Editing the Registry

If you have a Windows Home edition, you will have to edit the Windows Registry to make these changes. You can also do it this way if you have Windows Pro or Enterprise, but feel more comfortable working in the Registry than Group Policy Editor. (If you have Pro or Enterprise, though, we recommend using the easier Group Policy Editor, as described in the next section.)

Registry Editor is a powerful tool and misusing it can render your system unstable or even inoperable. This is a pretty simple hack and as long as you stick to the instructions, you shouldn't have any problems. That said, if you've never worked with it before, consider reading about how to use the Registry Editor before you get started. And definitely back up the Registry (and your computer!) before making changes.

To get started, open the Registry Editor by hitting Start and typing "regedit." Press Enter to open Registry Editor and give it permission to make changes to your PC.
Click "Open" or hit Enter to launch the Registry Editor.

In the Registry Editor, use the left sidebar to navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem

The FileSystem Key

On the right, find a value named LongPathsEnabled and double-click it. If you don't see the value listed, you'll need to create it by right-clicking the FileSystem key, choosing New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and then naming the new value LongPathsEnabled.
Double-click the "LongPathsEnabled" DWORD.

In the value's properties window, change the value from 0 to 1 in the "Value data" box and then click OK.
Set the value to "1"

You can now close Registry Editor and restart your computer (or sign out of your account and sign back on). If you ever want to reverse the changes, just head back to the LongPathsEnabled value, and change it from 1 back to 0.
Download Our One-Click Registry Hack
Two REG files. One enables file paths greater than 260 characters, the other restores the default Windows limitation.

If you don't feel like diving into the Registry yourself, we've created two downloadable registry hacks you can use. One hack removes the 260-character path limit, and the other hack restores the default limit. Both are included in the following ZIP file. Double-click the one you want to use, click through the prompts, and then restart your computer.

Long Path Names Hacks

These hacks are really just the FileSystem key, stripped down to the LongPathsEnabled value we described above, and then exported to a .REG file. Running the "Remove 260 Character Path Limit" hack sets the LongPathsEnabled value to 1. Running the "Restore 260 Character Path Limit (Default)" hack sets the value back to 0. And if you enjoy fiddling with the Registry, it's worth taking the time to learn how to make your own Registry hacks.
Pro and Enterprise Users: Remove the 260 Character Path Limit with the Local Group Policy Editor

If you're using Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, the easiest way to disable the new app install notifications is by using the Local Group Policy Editor. It's a pretty powerful tool, so if you've never used it before, it's worth taking some time to learn what it can do. Also, if you're on a company network, do everyone a favor and check with your admin first. If your work computer is part of a domain, it's also likely that it's part of a domain group policy that will supersede the local group policy, anyway.

In Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, hit Start, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
Search "gpedit.msc" in the Start Menu search, then click "Edit Group Policy."

In the Local Group Policy Editor, in the left-hand pane, drill down to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Filesystem. On the right, find the "Enable win32 long paths" item and double-click it.
Navigate to "FileSystem" in the Local Group Policy Editor, then double-click "Enable Win32 Long Paths."

Select the "Enabled" option and then click "OK" in the properties window that opens.
Click "Enabled," then click "OK."

You can now exit the Local Group Policy Editor and restart your computer (or sign out and back in) to allow the changes to take effect. If at any time you want to reverse the changes, just follow the same procedure and set that option back to "Disabled" or "Not Configured."

The maximum path limit may not be something you've ever run into, but for some people, it can certainly be the occasional frustration. Windows 10 has finally added the ability to remove that limit. You just have to make a quick change to the Registry or Group Policy to make it happen.

Source: https://www.howtogeek.com/266621/how-to-make-windows-10-accept-file-paths-over-260-characters/

How to Make Windows 10 Accept File Paths Over 260 Characters

 

Windows Doesn't Accept Long Paths by Default

Before Windows 95, Windows only allowed file names that were eight characters long, with a three-character file extension — commonly known as an 8.3 filename. Windows 95 abandoned that to allow long file names, but still limited the maximum path length (which includes the full folder path and the file name) to 260 characters. That limit has been in place ever since. If you've ever run into this limit, it was probably when you were trying to copy deep folder structures into other folders, such as when copying the contents of a hard drive to a folder on another drive. The Windows 10 Anniversary Update finally added the option to abandon that maximum path length.

There is one caveat. This new setting won't necessarily work with every application out there, but it will work with most. Specifically, any modern applications should be fine, as should all 64-bit applications. Older 32-bit applications need to be manifested in order to work, which really just means that the developer has indicated in the application's manifest file that the application supports longer paths. Most popular 32-bit apps should experience no problem. Still, you don't risk anything by trying the setting out. If an application doesn't work, the only thing that will happen is that it won't be able to open or save files that are saved in places where the full path exceeds 260 characters.

Home Users: Remove the 260 Character Path Limit by Editing the Registry

If you have a Windows Home edition, you will have to edit the Windows Registry to make these changes. You can also do it this way if you have Windows Pro or Enterprise, but feel more comfortable working in the Registry than Group Policy Editor. (If you have Pro or Enterprise, though, we recommend using the easier Group Policy Editor, as described in the next section.)

Registry Editor is a powerful tool and misusing it can render your system unstable or even inoperable. This is a pretty simple hack and as long as you stick to the instructions, you shouldn't have any problems. That said, if you've never worked with it before, consider reading about how to use the Registry Editor before you get started. And definitely back up the Registry (and your computer!) before making changes.

To get started, open the Registry Editor by hitting Start and typing "regedit." Press Enter to open Registry Editor and give it permission to make changes to your PC.

In the Registry Editor, use the left sidebar to navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem

On the right, find a value named LongPathsEnabled and double-click it. If you don't see the value listed, you'll need to create it by right-clicking the FileSystem key, choosing New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and then naming the new value LongPathsEnabled.

In the value's properties window, change the value from 0 to 1 in the "Value data" box and then click OK.

You can now close Registry Editor and restart your computer (or sign out of your account and sign back on). If you ever want to reverse the changes, just head back to the LongPathsEnabled value, and change it from 1 back to 0.

Download Our One-Click Registry Hack

If you don't feel like diving into the Registry yourself, we've created two downloadable registry hacks you can use. One hack removes the 260-character path limit, and the other hack restores the default limit. Both are included in the following ZIP file. Double-click the one you want to use, click through the prompts, and then restart your computer.

Long Path Names Hacks

These hacks are really just the FileSystem key, stripped down to the LongPathsEnabled value we described above, and then exported to a .REG file. Running the "Remove 260 Character Path Limit" hack sets the LongPathsEnabled value to 1. Running the "Restore 260 Character Path Limit (Default)" hack sets the value back to 0. And if you enjoy fiddling with the Registry, it's worth taking the time to learn how to make your own Registry hacks.

Pro and Enterprise Users: Remove the 260 Character Path Limit with the Local Group Policy Editor

If you're using Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, the easiest way to disable the new app install notifications is by using the Local Group Policy Editor. It's a pretty powerful tool, so if you've never used it before, it's worth taking some time to learn what it can do. Also, if you're on a company network, do everyone a favor and check with your admin first. If your work computer is part of a domain, it's also likely that it's part of a domain group policy that will supersede the local group policy, anyway.

In Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, hit Start, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

In the Local Group Policy Editor, in the left-hand pane, drill down to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Filesystem. On the right, find the "Enable win32 long paths" item and double-click it.

Select the "Enabled" option and then click "OK" in the properties window that opens.

You can now exit the Local Group Policy Editor and restart your computer (or sign out and back in) to allow the changes to take effect. If at any time you want to reverse the changes, just follow the same procedure and set that option back to "Disabled" or "Not Configured."

The maximum path limit may not be something you've ever run into, but for some people, it can certainly be the occasional frustration. Windows 10 has finally added the ability to remove that limit. You just have to make a quick change to the Registry or Group Policy to make it happen.

Source: https://www.howtogeek.com/266621/how-to-make-windows-10-accept-file-paths-over-260-characters/

How to Use Rufus to Bypass TPM and Secure Boot Requirements in Windows 11 -

You can use registry hacks and tweaked ISO files to bypass Windows 11's TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements. However, I recommend using Rufus instead. Here's why.

Rufus version 3.2 and above allows you to create a tweaked Windows 11 bootable media. While creating the bootable USB drive, you can remove the 4GB RAM, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and Microsoft Account sign-in requirements.

How to Create a Bootable USB Drive Which Bypasses Windows 11 Requirements Using Rufus

Firstly, you need to download the latest version of Rufus from Microsoft Store, GitHub, or the official website. I suggest downloading the portable version of Rufus to avoid the installation process altogether.

Also, download the latest version of the Windows 11 ISO image file from the official Microsoft page.

After downloading the portable version of Rufus, repeat the following steps:

1. Go to the downloads folder and double-click on Rufus to run the tool.
2. UAC will pop up. Click on the Yes button to continue.
3. Insert a USB drive into your Windows 11 system. Ensure that the USB drive has a capacity of 8 GB or more. Rufus will automatically recognize the USB drive.
4. Click on the Select button in the Boot selection section. Browse your computer for the ISO file and select it.
5. Next, click on the Partition scheme option. Select MBR if you want to use this USB drive on a system with BIOS or UEFI. Leave the Target system and Partition scheme untouched if you plan to use this bootable USB drive on a UEFI system.

   

6. Navigate to the bottom of Rufus' window and click on the Start button.
7. A Windows User Experience box will open. Here, you can apply all the customizations you want to the Windows 11 bootable USB drive. Click on the checkbox in front of the Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0 option.
8. Similarly, select the Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account checkbox and Disable data collection (Skip privacy questions) checkbox.

   

9. Click on the OK button. Rufus will generate a warning about deleting all data on the USB drive.

   

10. Lastly, click on the OK button and wait for Rufus to create the bootable Windows 11 USB drive. Eject the drive after you see a “Ready” message.

How to Install the Modified Windows 11 on Your System

Repeat the following steps to install Windows 11 while bypassing its system requirements:

1. Plug the bootable USB drive you created with Rufus into the target system. Press the designated F-key repeatedly (F10, F12, F2, or Esc) to enter the boot devices menu.
2. Select the USB drive from the list using the arrow keys and press the Enter key to boot.
3. Select the language and region and click on the Next button. Then, click on the Next again.
4. Select the Install Windows 11 option and click on the checkbox below. Click Next.

   

5. Click on the I don’t have the product key option.

6. Select the version of Windows 11 you want to install (Home, Pro, Enterprise, or Education) and click Next.

   

7. Accept the EULA and click on the Next button. Then, click on the Custom option.
8. Pick the drive where you want to install Windows 11. Click on the Format button to format the drive and click Next.

   

9. Review your decisions and click on Install.
10. The setup will begin installing Windows 11 automatically. However, if TPM and Secure Boot bypass weren’t in place, you would never make it past the Enter product key page.
11. Your system will restart a few times and then boot to the Windows 11 setup page. Disconnect your system from the internet. Otherwise, it will attempt to check and download updates, which can take a long time.
12. Enter your Name and select three security questions and their answers as well. Click on Next.

    

13. Windows will prepare your system and boot to the desktop after some time.

    

Rufus helps you avoid the excessively long route Windows 11 setup forces you to take during the installation. Confusing privacy and tracking settings take up a whole page, and you have to deal with pop-ups like Microsoft 365 and Xbox GamePass. You need to disable the six to eight toggles to opt out of it.

However, you will need to set up a new PIN if you plan to inherit the same username and region options as your main Windows computer. Otherwise, you won’t be able to log in.

Rufus remains one of the best ways to install Windows 11 and bypass Microsoft's security requirements. Once you try it, you'll likely never go back to Microsoft's Media Creation Tool.

Source: https://www.makeuseof.com/rufus-bypass-tpm-secure-boot-requirements-windows-11/