04. File Path Length Issues When Downloading from the VDR
Learn how to proceed when the path length of downloaded files exceeds your computer's operating system limits.
What is a file path?
File path is an address indicating the location of a file in a computer system, consisting of the names of all folders leading to that file and its own name.
Example of a file path:
C: \Index\MainFolderName\SubfolderName\AnotherSubfolderName\Filename.pdf
File path limitations
The Fordata VDR system has no restrictions on the length of file names or their paths. However, both Windows and macOS have such system limitations.
Maximum path length for Windows: 256 characters.
Maximum path length for macOS: 1024 characters.
Automatic file path shortening
When the VDR prepares files for download and detects that paths may exceed the safe limit, it automatically replaces folder names with hierarchical numbering - instead of full directory names, the system uses numbering that reflects the structure, for example: 1, 1.1, 1.2, etc. (fig. 2).
Document names will never be shortened - they will always remain in their original form.
If the path still exceeds the limit after shortening folder names, the system will automatically change folder names to simple numbers without additional characters (fig. 3).
In case the path is still too long, all files will be downloaded to a single folder without subfolders. The folder number where the file was located will be added to the file name (fig. 4).
Navigating the shortened structure - HTML index
In all situations where the path is too long, an additional file containing clickable links to documents with full folder and file names is included with the downloaded files. With its help, you can easily navigate through the structure of downloaded files.
Ways to bypass the path length limit
- Unpack the file as close to the root folder of the drive as possible.
Example of regular unpacking:
C:\Folder\Subfolder\AnotherSubfolder\DownloadedZIP
Example of unpacking closer to the root folder:
C:\DownloadedZIP
- Download folders or files separately.
Download individual files or subfolders instead of the entire main folder.
- Browse files without unpacking.
Browse downloaded files without unpacking (using tools that support encrypted ZIP archives described below).
Unpacking the file
For security reasons, when downloading multiple folders and files from the VDR, the system will pack them into a ZIP archive and ask you to set a password for the downloaded ZIP.
Remember to save the password.
To unpack the downloaded ZIP, you need to use appropriate tools that support encrypted ZIP archives.
We recommend free tools:
For Windows: 7-Zip, WinRAR
For macOS: Archive Utility (built-in tool), The Unarchiver
Remember that the Windows system will not unpack an encrypted ZIP, as it does not support passwords. When trying to open the archive through Windows, you will receive an error message or information about an empty folder. This is not an error, but a limitation of the operating system. Use the dedicated tools indicated above.
Do you have any additional questions?
The #FORDATAteam is here for you.
Contact us via email at support@fordatagroup.com
or call us at:
EMEA +44 204 584 3861
APAC +852 21 582 983
Americas +1 917 779 9339