User State Migration Tool (USMT) 2.6 has a 259-character limit for a file path in Windows (915725)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server

INTRODUCTION

This article describes the maximum number of characters that you can use in a file path when you run Microsoft User State Migration Tool (USMT) 2.6.

MORE INFORMATION

A file path can contain a maximum of 259 characters in USMT 2.6. This character limit represents the sum of the following:
  • The number of characters in the file name
  • The number of characters that are used to represent the folder name and drive that contain the file
If USMT 2.6 uses a path that exceeds this character limit, users may not be able to access the resources in question.

Note To make sure that you have sufficient space for an 8.3 file name, limit folder names plus the drive reference to a total of no more than 245 characters. Some programs may have different character-limit restrictions. Therefore, although 259 characters is the character limit of the full path, 240 characters is the practical character limit of a folder name.

For more information about file names, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/fileio/fs/naming_a_file.asp

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:4/25/2006
Keywords:kbUserStateMig kbhowto kbinfo KB915725 kbAudEndUser
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