when getting the message that the file name is either not valid or too long, what can I do to delete (or cut, or copy) this file (or the directory with that file)?

I'm having this trouble now, wanting to remove a certain directory (with certain files) from my hard-drive. they are music files which obviously are faulty somehow, because they fail to play (with Winamp), so I would prefer simply to remove them.

any practical advice will be welcome.

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And you can't change the filename?

I've never heard of such a thing. Some characters are reserved for system use on a Mac, but if you receive a file that uses one of them I believe they automatically change.

Windows is arcane.

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i use this program: http://www.download25.com/install/delete-doctor.html
as far as i noticed the most succesful method is "Delete File On System Restart".

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thank you, I'll try that delete-doctor.

as for renaming files, I haven't found the way to do that (yet), but it ought to be possible.

here's another problem, when I try to delete a folder (with no visible files within in), I'm getting the message:

"can't access this folder. path is too long."

hmm, so I would have to modify the "path", somehow. how is that possible?

I just don't like having these useless (flawed, or inaccessible) files (and folders) on my drives; would prefer to erase them all.

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you need to shorten the filename (right mouse button: Change Filename (or something like that)). if it's already short or it doesn't work for some reason, try changing the name of the folder in which the file is located (or the folder in which folder is located etc.).

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I tried that and it didn't work.

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right-clicking produces a menu but no "Change Filename" (or anything like that). that's when I right-click the files; but right-clicking a folder does give me the option to "Rename".

I just found that renaming the folders did the trick, enabled me to delete each one of them.

thanks!

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If shortening or simplifying the file and folder name doesn't work, you can try to use
a third party app like Long Path Tool. It will solve this type of issues in Windows.
But of course it's better to avoid getting these errors since they are so annoying.
When you save a file or install a software, make sure to rename them first.
I hope this could help.

I had this problem too! I tried out http://LongPathTool.com and it helped me a lot. I do not know anything about these techie stuff but it sure did help me out. You might all want to try it out too! You don't need to be an expert too!