whats the maximum length for a file name?

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in WinNT 4.0 whats the maximum lengh a file name can have?
I have a user that has a filename with a length of 129 characters including the extension.
I thought it was approx 25 characters with extension.
any ideas?

Diana

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I believe that it is 255 characters. However, I think that the full file specification including the path can not exceed 255 characters.

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With NTFS, Microsoft is saying that the maximum path is 1024 characters. (KB Article 268722). There is a max_path variable that is set to 256 characters, and also files from a command prompt (cmd.exe) in NT 4.0 are limited to the 255 character limit.

I actually thought NTFS was technically ‘unlimited’. I believe NTFS 5.0 is either bigger or unlimited.

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Thanks Drew,Legare.
although you have to wonder why would a file name be over 1000 characters?
Diana

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That’s path, not just file name….that can get pretty long.

Also, sometimes people just let programs create their own filename, like Word uses the first line in your document.

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ok…of course

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Don’t forget that if writing to a CD then CDFS restricts all directory and file names to 32 characters each – see TechNet Windows NT Support For Long File Names Under CDFS File System – 142372

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