If files in Windows won't sync to iCloud Drive because the path is too long

If you get a notification on your PC that says some of your files in iCloud Drive won't be synced, learn what you can do.

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A file name or path might be too long

A path that is too long could mean:

  • One or more file names are too long.

  • The path is too long. A path can include the file name and the names of all folders and subfolders where the file lives.

In iCloud for Windows 10.8 or later, a file name or path that's too long won't sync, but your other files will continue to sync to iCloud Drive. You also see the name of the file path that's too long so you can easily find the file in File Search.

In iCloud for Windows 10 or earlier, a file name or path that is too long stops all files in that folder from syncing to iCloud Drive. To make sure your other files continue to sync to iCloud Drive, download the latest version of iCloud for Windows.

Find the file name or path

If you know the name of the file path that won't sync to iCloud Drive, you might be able to find the file in File Search. To help the file sync to iCloud Drive, change the name of files, folders, or subfolders in the file path to a name that's less than 256 characters long.

If you rename a file or folder name, some third-party apps might not update changes.

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