---
title: "Working with Long File Paths"
---

# Working with Long File Paths

> [Ignition's data folder structure](appendix/reference-pages/gateway-folder-structure/gateway-folder-structure.md) can lead to long file paths that may require special consideration when working with tags, Perspective view layouts, and external resources to manipulate files. These long files paths can cause problems especially for Windows user workflows, such as when backing up directories and not all files being copied over completely since Windows API has a filepath limit of 255 characters. Additional issues may also occur with other applications that do not accommodate for long filepaths.

Interacting with tags will be the most common way long file paths may lead to issues, as the JSON files are stored with the starting length of the `C:\Ignition\8.3.0\data\config\resources\core\ignition\tag-definition` directory. This is made more likely when working with certain modules, like MQTT, which creates names dynamically. 

It is important to verify your system and application limitations because depending on the actions you're trying to take, an error message may not appear upon failure and everything may seem to be functioning correctly. This page details some inconsistencies to watch out for and troubleshooting tips. 

## LongPathsEnabled Key
To help mitigate this limitation, you can open the Windows Registry Editor and set the `LongPathsEnabled` key to 1, which will remove the Windows API 255 character restriction. This key is located within the `Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem` folder.

![](long-paths-enabled.png)

:::caution
Be aware that even with the `LongPathsEnabled` registry setting enabled, file management tools may still run into issues.
:::

### When `LongPathsEnabled` is NOT Enabled

**Explorer**

* Copying `tags.json` that exists in a >256 path length will result in a file named `TAGS~1.JSON` or something similar. It can be renamed if it is pasted into a folder that allows for a <256 path length.
* You can paste into directories with >256 path length.
* Folders cannot be modified and renaming is not possible when the file path is >256. To rename you would need to:
	1. Copy the file to a location that is <256 path length.
	2. Rename the file.
	3. Copy the file.
	4. Paste it into the >256 path length directory.

**Command Prompt**

You will be unable to perform any actions on files or directories that are >256 path length. You will instead see an error message stating `The system cannot find the path specified` when trying to get to the folder.

**Git**

The following warning will occur that prevents committing changes:  

```python
warning: could not open directory 'ignition/tags/default/20240821_163032_42_ARP5PD6DM59W4MHW47VD3WS/20240821_163032_160_P85NL0PQZEJWPAI1DK1NICW8WCYTKO2O387131RU4L32BPMKXS7M5147H1DBWXFS8Q70O074AV7NUKJAVLBAGWVB8AZ5RDUZ13SD03WTYQTFENHKKV52KR1BHQQ33S5LSAWPB0E5FDOX/': Filename too long
``` 

### When `LongPathsEnabled` is Enabled

Be aware that even with the LongPathsEnabled registry setting enabled, file management tools may still run into issues, and even Explorer will still have some problems working with files.

**Explorer**

Enabling the `LongPathsEnabled` key does not impact the issues identified [above](#when-longpathsenabled-is-not-enabled) when working with Explorer. 

**Command Prompt**

No limitations.

**Git**

With the `LongPathsEnabled` key enabled, you can now take advantage of Github's `core.longpaths` configuration setting. This setting is set to false by default, but when set to true, paths >260 will be supported. More about this setting can be found in the [Git for Windows](https://github.com/git-for-windows/git/blob/d003d728ffa6c0006da875ec6318d3f6b28a4ddb/Documentation/config/core.txt#L560-L565) documentation.