How to fix Error 0x80070003: The system cannot find the path specified.

With the imminent end of life support for Windows Server 2008 and Windows 7, file server migrations maybe part of your upgrade plan to Windows Server 2019 or Windows 10.


However, file server migrations with file names and paths that are too long will still fail.  Moreover, the Storage Migration Service will fail to the Azure cloud.

And note, the new Windows 2019/Windows 10 Path Too Long setting is not fully integrated into the entire system, so CMD.exe and Windows Explorer will not copy paths that are too long.


For Windows 10 users that encounter the "Destination Path Too Long Error" while attempting to  copying, delete or move files from a source location to a separate location or drive.


Windows Operating System has a MAX PATH variable that determines a limit to the number of characters applicable in the path of a file which is 260 in normal circumstances. When you make an effort to copy a file from the location, the destination path calculated is the sum of characters existing in the source path and filename.

And as this number surpasses 260 you get with "Destination Path Too Long Error", or many others. The solution is easy http://pathtoolongautofixer.blogspot.com/

The most frequent errors are;


  • Source Path Too Long - The source filename(s) are larger than is supported by the filesystem.
  • Destination Path Too Long - The filename(s) would be too long for the destination folder.
  • Interrupted Action - An unexpected error is keeping your from coping the file.
  • Error 0x80010135: Path Too Long
  • Delete Folder - An unexpected error is keeping you from deleting the folder. Error 0x80070003: The system cannot find the path specified.
  • Error 1320: The specified path is too long.
  • The file name you specified is not valid or too long. Specify a different file name.


Other errors that are not so obvious but are caused by Path Too Long error;



  • Cannot delete file: access is denied
  • There has been a sharing violation.
  • The source or destination file may be in use.
  • The file is in use by another program or user.
  • Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.
  • Error Deleting File or Folder 
  • Error Copying File or Folder 
  • Cannot delete file or folder
  • Cannot Open
  • Cannot Copy
  • The file could not be accessed
  • File name could not be found
  • Could not find this item

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