File Name Length

Windows has a file name length of 260 characters and a folder name length limit of 248 characters. There are potentially two areas where this could impact Autobahn DX processing.

File Name Length - UNC Paths

If a local file path is at or close to one of the windows limits, it can potentially cause issues. For example this local file

C:\doocuments\major accounts payable 2010\……with 260 characters.pdf

When accessed remotely via a UNC, such as the one below will exceed the 260 character limit when Autobahn DX is scanning folders for files to process. This can even affect files that are to be filtered out (e.g. .msg files in the case where *.pdf has been specified as a filter).

\servername\c$:\doocuments\major accounts payable 2010\……with 260 characters.pdf

The best solution for this problem is to create a share such that the UNC path will not exceed the limit.

For example, create a share to C:\doocuments\major accounts payable 2010 with a short name such as “dp2” will then allow access via a UNC such as \servername\dp2\……with 260 characters.pdf

In other words, in Designer the source folder is \servername\dp2 rather than \servername\c$:\doocuments\major accounts payable 2010

File Name Length – Autobahn DX Working Folder Paths

For integrity reasons, Autobahn DX will (by default) copy source files and write processed files to work folders before copying to the target output folders. The location of the working folders is defined in the job manager – for example, C:\Aquaforest\Autobahn DX\work\1008

As an example, given a file C:\Accounts\Business Documents 2010\Invoices\… with 260 characters.pdf and the source folder defined as C:\Accounts\Business Documents 2010\Invoices then the working file will be C:\Aquaforest\Autobahn DX\work\1008\ Invoices\… with 260 characters.pdf which will exceed the limit.

The best solution is to shorten the working folder path via the Designer screen – for example to C:\dw\1008 instead of C:\Aquaforest\Autobahn DX\work\1008

Long File Names Support

Starting in Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016, version 1607, MAX_PATH limitations have been removed from common Win32 file and directory functions. However, you must opt-in to the new behavior. This section will show you how to configure your computer and Autobahn DX to use long file names.

Autobahn DX Config

  • Open the Autobahn DX config file found in the location below:

    • “Autobahn Install Folder\ config\Autobahn.config”

  • Set the “allowlongfilename” value to “True” as shown below:

    • <add key=“allowlongfilename” value=“True” />

Windows Configuration

  • Start the registry editor (regedit.exe)

  • Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem

  • Double click LongPathsEnabled

  • Set to 1 and click OK

  • Reboot