How Can I Access Files with Paths Longer Than 259 Characters in .NET?

Working with File Paths Longer Than 259 Characters in .NET

Standard .NET file access methods, like FileInfo, have a 259-character path length limitation (MAX_PATH). This article explores workarounds for handling longer file paths.

Unicode and Long Path Support

The solution involves utilizing long path syntax, prepended with \?\. This, combined with P/Invoke calls to Unicode versions of Win32 API functions, bypasses Windows API limitations that restrict long path handling. This syntax prevents certain file name normalizations that cause issues with longer paths.

.NET Framework Compatibility

.NET Framework 4.6.2 and later versions directly support this long path syntax. Older versions require manual implementation using the long path syntax and Unicode Win32 APIs.

.NET Core and .NET

.NET Core and later .NET versions natively support long paths, automatically applying the long path syntax when needed.

Important Considerations

Compatibility with other applications and the Windows shell is crucial. Some APIs might not support long paths. Furthermore, paths using the \?\ syntax may necessitate direct Windows API calls, as the .NET Framework may not fully support this syntax in all cases.

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