How do I get around long file & directory names in DOS using xcopy?

Question

My source is --> G:\MUSIC
My destination is C:\MUSIC

My attempted command line was:
xcopy G:\MUSIC C:\MUSIC /s /e /h

It started to copy fine but then it came across the following file in the following subdirectory
G:\MUSIC\70's\Janis Joplin 10 Cd Essential Collection
It the said = Unable to create directory.

What xcopy line will copy everything regardless of how long a directory - subdirectory - file name is or regardless what charachters are in it.

Any ideas? thanks

Answer 1

DOS doesn't have support for long file names.

If you're using the emulated "DOS" (via cmd) in Windows, there is limited support if the tool supports it -- I don't think xcopy does.

Your best solution: Write (or download) an xcopy application that does support long file names. Xcopy is about the most simple program in the world so it shouldn't be hard.