ERROR: The source file name(s) are larger than is supported by the file system. When trying to delete a folder in Microsoft Windows

Issue:

When attempting to delete a folder from a Microsoft Windows machine, you receive an error message that the source file name(s) are larger than is supported by the file system.

Solution:

create an empty folder such as c:\EmptyFolder

use robocopy with the /purge switch to copy over the file

example:

Robocopy C:\EmptyFolder C:\FolderToWithLongFileName /purge

The folder will now be empty and a delete command will complete without error