How to Fix ZIP Error 0x80010135: Path Too Long – Complete and Effective Solution Guide

When we extract a ZIP file and suddenly see ZIP Error 0x80010135: Path Too Long, this problem is a common but extremely annoying error in Windows systems. This error typically occurs when the path to a file or folder exceeds the system’s specified length limit. In this article, we detail all the effective methods to permanently fix this problem.

What is ZIP Error 0x80010135: Path Too Long?

This error occurs when the full path (Drive Name + Folder Name + Subfolder + File Name) of a file or folder in Windows exceeds 260 characters. Due to Windows’s outdated path length limit, the system cannot process such a long path and displays this error.

Effective Ways to Quickly Fix ZIP Error 0x80010135

All of the solutions below are tested and effective. We recommend that you follow them in order.

1. Extract the ZIP File to the Root Drive

The easiest solution is to extract the ZIP file directly to the root directory of the drive instead of a deeper folder.

How to:

1. Right-click the ZIP file

2. Click Extract All

3. Select `C:\` or `D:\` in the Destination Path

4. Click Extract

This will shorten the path length and often resolve the issue immediately.

2. Shorten Folder and File Names

If the folder and file names within the ZIP file are very long, shorten the ZIP file name before extracting.

Example:

Incorrect:

Correct:

Shortening the name reduces the total path length.

3. Enable Long Path Support in Windows (Permanent Solution)

Enabling Long Path Support in Windows 10 and Windows 11 can permanently eliminate this problem.

How to enable it from the Group Policy Editor:

1. Press `Win + R`

2. Type `gpedit.msc`

3. Navigate to:

`Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Filesystem`

4. Double-click Enable Win32 Long Paths

5. Select Enabled

6. Click OK

7. Restart the system

Windows will now accept paths longer than 260 characters.

4. Enable Long Paths from the Registry Editor

If the Group Policy Editor isn’t available on your system, use the Registry Method.

Steps:

1. Press Win + R

2. Type regedit

3. Navigate to this path:

4. Find LongPathsEnabled on the right.

5. Double-click it.

6. Set the Value Data to 1.

7. OK.

8. Restart the system.

This solution is 100% effective and increases the path limit.

Also read: 7 Effective Ways to Fix Error Code 0xc00000e in Windows 11

5. Extract ZIP files using Command Prompt

Sometimes, Command Prompt is more effective than Windows Explorer.

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator

2. Go to the directory containing the ZIP file

3. Run this command:

This command will extract the ZIP file directly to the root directory and avoid a path limit error.

6. Use Third-Party Extraction Software

Sometimes Windows’ default extractor is limited. In such cases, use advanced tools.

Better Alternatives:

7-Zip

WinRAR

These tools have more advanced path handling and handle long paths better.

7. Manually Shorten Subfolders

If the ZIP file has already been extracted, but some files are giving errors, then:

1. Move the deeper subfolders to the desktop

2. Shorten the subfolder name

3. Then extract again

This method is especially useful for developer projects or GitHub repository files.

Ways to Prevent ZIP Error 0x80010135 in the Future

Fixing the problem isn’t enough; we also need to prevent it from recurring.

Keep Folder Structure Simple

Avoid Overly Deep Folder Structures

Limit Nested Folders

Adopt Short Naming Conventions

Place Large Projects in the Drive Root

If you work on software development or large data projects, place them in the Drive Root:

`D:\Project`

instead of

Perform Regular System Updates

Keep your system up to date with Windows Update to improve file handling.

Also read: How to Create a Device Manager Shortcut in Windows?

Common Scenarios Where This Error Occurs Most Often

1. When Downloading a GitHub Repository

GitHub Projects Often Have Very Deep Nested Folders.

2. When Extracting a Website Template ZIP

Theme and Plugin Files Have Long Directory Structures.

3. In Large Backup Archives

Backup ZIP Files Contain Automatically Generated Long Names.

Advanced Technical Insight (For Experts)

The MAX_PATH limitation in the Windows API is 260 characters by default. Enabling Long Path Support can increase this limit to approximately 32,767 characters, but this depends on application compatibility.

Modern applications can bypass this limitation by using Unicode Prefixes (`\\?\`). Registry Enablement expands system-level path handling.

Step-by-Step Quick Fix Summary

| Problem | Solution |

| ——————- | —————————– |

| Path Too Long Error | Extract to Root Drive |

| Folder Name Long | Rename |

| Permanent Fix | Enable Long Path Support |

| Explorer Error | Use Command Prompt |

| Complex Archive | Use 7-Zip |

Conclusion

ZIP Error 0x80010135: Path Too Long is a common but technical issue that can be resolved with simple methods. Using Root Drive Extraction, Folder Renaming, Long Path Support Enablement, and Advanced Extraction Tools can permanently eliminate this error. Keeping the folder structure organized and compact can help prevent future issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – ZIP Error 0x80010135: Path Too Long

1. How to solve 0x80010135 path too long? (How to fix 0x80010135 Path Too Long Error?)

To fix this error, we recommend the following solutions:

Extract the ZIP file directly to the C:\ or D:\ drive root.

Shorten file and folder names.

Enable Long Path Support in Windows (via Group Policy or Registry).

Use tools like 7-Zip or WinRAR.

Enabling Long Path is considered a permanent solution.

2. How to unzip if the path is too long? (How to unzip if the path is too long?)

If you encounter a Path Too Long error while extracting a ZIP, then:

Move the ZIP file to the desktop or the root of the drive.

Keep the Extract Destination short, such as `C:\Extract`.

Use the `tar -xf filename.zip -C C:\` command from the Command Prompt.

Use a third-party extractor (7-Zip).

This prevents the path from being created in a long format.

3. How to resolve the Path Too Long error?

To eliminate this error, we need to remove Windows’ 260-character limit. To do this:

Open `gpedit.msc`

Enable Win32 Long Paths

Or

Set the value of `LongPathsEnabled` to `1` in the Registry.

After a restart, the problem is permanently resolved.

4. How to unzip if the path is too long?

If there are many deeply nested folders inside a ZIP file, then:

Shorten the ZIP file’s name first

Place it in the root drive

Choose a shorter destination when extracting

Rename subfolders manually

This reduces the path length and ensures a successful extraction.

5. What should be done if the file path is too long?

In such a situation:

Simplify the deep folder structure

Keep folder and file names short

Enable Long Path Support

Use PowerShell or Command Prompt

All of these methods provide a quick solution.

6. How to copy a file longer than 256 characters?

If the file path exceeds 256 or 260 characters, then:

Enable Long Path in the Windows Registry

Move the file to the root drive

Copy using PowerShell

Use the Advanced Archiver Tool

After enabling, Windows can support up to 32,000+ characters.

7. How to shorten file names that are too long?

To shorten long file names:

Right-click on the file → Rename

Remove unnecessary words

Reduce special characters

Use abbreviations

Example:

`Final_Project_Backup_March_Updated_Version_2026.zip`

changed to

`Project2026.zip`

Shortening the name reduces the likelihood of a path error.

8. Does the Path Too Long error occur in Windows 11?

Yes, this error can occur in Windows 11 if Long Path Support is not enabled. However, this problem disappears completely after enabling the setting.

9. Can 7-Zip solve this problem?

Yes, tools like 7-Zip and WinRAR handle long path structures better. In many cases, these prove to be more effective than Windows Explorer.

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