How to overcome long file path issues with robocopy?

Question

Hi,

How to overcome long file path issues with robocopy? Any suggestions?

Also, could you please share any best practices to follow in migrating Windows File systems (preserving all attributes) to NetApp CVO on Azure?

Regards,
VJ

Answer 1

Hi,

ROBOCOPY will accept UNC pathnames including UNC pathnames over 256 characters long.

"/256 Turns off support for paths longer than 256 characters."

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/robocopy

Below is an article of the guides to migrate to Azure file shares:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/files/storage-files-migration-overview

Thanks for your time!
Best Regards,
Anne

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Answer 2

Hi @VJ-8370 ,

Robocopy supports paths that are larger than 256 characters by default, Robocopy even provides a flag that lets you turn OFF support for long path names (flag: /256).

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(If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote or accept as answer, thank you)

Best regards,
Leon

Answer 3

As @Leon Laude said robocopy supports long path, but some version (OS dependent), in the past, had problem with permission.
You can also use https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-migration-service/overview

This are two examples of possible solutions using robocoy and icacls

    ROBOCOPY  \\serversource\folder \\serverTarget\folder /E /w:0 /r:0 /xj /b /log:c:\logcopyfile.log  
    ROBOCOPY  \\serversource\folder \\serverTarget\folder /E /w:0 /r:0 /xj /b /Copy:S /IS /IT  log:c:\logcopysecurity.log  
    :: save and restore permission  
    icacls "\\serverSorgente\folder" /save C:\ACL_serversorgente /T      
    icacls "\\serverTarget\folder" /restore C:\ACL_serversorgente