To enable long file paths in Windows 10 or 11, open the Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem, and set the LongPathsEnabled value to 1. Restart your PC and Windows will no longer cut file paths off at 260 characters.
Quick Steps:
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run box
- Type
regeditand press Enter - Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem - Double-click
LongPathsEnabledand set the value to1 - Click OK, close the Registry Editor, and restart your PC
Why Does Windows Limit File Path Length?
Windows has enforced a 260-character file path limit — known as MAX_PATH — since the early days of the OS. It made sense as a design choice back then, but today it causes real problems, especially when working with deeply nested folders, long project names, or software that creates complex directory structures.
One of the most common places I used to run into this was when extracting compressed archives. If you’ve ever tried to unzip a file and got an error about the path being too long, that 260-character limit is exactly what’s causing it. The fix is simple — you just need to tell Windows to lift that restriction through the registry.
This setting is available on Windows 10 version 1607 and later, and on all versions of Windows 11. Once enabled, Windows supports file paths up to 32,767 characters long, which is more than enough for any real-world use case.
How to Enable Long File Paths Using the Registry Editor
Step 1: Open the Registry Editor
Press Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit and press Enter. If a UAC prompt appears asking whether to allow changes, click Yes to continue.
Step 2: Navigate to the FileSystem Key
In the Registry Editor, you need to get to the following path. You can click through the folders in the left panel, or paste the path directly into the address bar at the top and press Enter — that second option is a lot faster.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem
Step 3: Change the LongPathsEnabled Value
On the right side of the Registry Editor, look for a DWORD value called LongPathsEnabled. Double-click it to open it, change the value data from 0 to 1, and click OK. If the value doesn’t exist, right-click in an empty area on the right panel, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it LongPathsEnabled, and then set it to 1.
Step 4: Restart Your PC
Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC. The change won’t take effect until you do a full reboot — just signing out and back in isn’t enough. After the restart, Windows will support long file paths for any application that has been updated to use them.
Alternative Method: Using Group Policy Editor
If you’re on Windows 10 or 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can also make this change through the Group Policy Editor. Press Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Filesystem. Double-click Enable Win32 long paths, set it to Enabled, and click OK. This does the exact same thing as the registry edit, so use whichever method you’re more comfortable with.
Windows Home users don’t have access to Group Policy Editor, so the registry method is the only option for them. If you find yourself making a lot of registry tweaks like this and want a simpler way to manage Windows settings, Winhance is a free open-source tool I built that lets you apply many of these kinds of changes through a clean interface — no registry digging required.
Common Issues & Solutions
Problem: LongPathsEnabled value doesn’t exist in the registry
Solution: Right-click in the empty space on the right panel of the Registry Editor, go to New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it LongPathsEnabled exactly as written, and set the value data to 1.
Problem: Still getting “path too long” errors after making the change
Solution: First, confirm you’ve restarted your PC after the registry edit. Also keep in mind that the application you’re using needs to support long paths as well — most modern software does, but older programs may still enforce the 260-character limit on their end.
Problem: Registry Editor won’t open or access is denied
Solution: This usually means your user account doesn’t have administrator privileges. Try searching for regedit in the Start menu, right-clicking the result, and selecting Run as administrator.
FAQ
Does enabling long file paths affect all apps on my PC?
Not automatically. The registry change enables long path support at the system level, but each application also needs to be built to take advantage of it. Most modern software already does. Older or legacy apps may still hit the 260-character limit even after you’ve made this change.
Is it safe to edit the registry to enable long paths?
Yes, this is one of the safer registry changes you can make. You’re modifying a single DWORD value that Microsoft specifically designed to be toggled by users. That said, it’s always good to get comfortable with how the Registry Editor works before making any edits, so you know what you’re looking at.
Does this work on Windows 10 Home?
Yes, the registry method works on all editions of Windows 10 and 11, including Home. The Group Policy method is the only approach that’s restricted to Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
Do I have to restart my PC after enabling long file paths?
Yes, a full restart is required. Simply closing the Registry Editor or restarting an application won’t apply the change — you need to reboot for it to take effect.
Can I undo this change if I need to?
Yes. Just go back to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem in the Registry Editor, double-click LongPathsEnabled, and change the value back to 0. Restart your PC and the default 260-character limit will be restored.
