Overview
If you're having trouble downloading or opening certain .ZIP files from Fonn, you may encounter an error—especially when downloading multiple documents at once.
Note: This issue specifically affects Windows users.
Explanation
The error occurs due to the way Windows handles filenames and folder structures inside .ZIP files. Windows has a known limitation where it cannot process .ZIP files if the total file path exceeds 260 characters.
When a .ZIP file is created, it preserves the original folder structure so that, when extracted, files are placed correctly. For example, a .ZIP might contain a file path like this:
/Documents/Projects/1234-Fonn-City/Documents/Manuals/Manual_v1.pdf
This path alone contains 67 characters. If your default download location is:
C://Windows/Users/John/Downloads/
That adds another 33 characters. The combined total in this case would be 120 characters—well within the limit. But if the overall path length exceeds 260 characters, Windows won't be able to extract the files, leading to an error.
How to Fix It
✅ Update Microsoft .NET Framework
Ensure your Microsoft .NET framework is version 4.6.2 or later to help avoid issues.
✅ Use a Shorter Download Path
Try setting your download location to a root-level folder, such as C://, before attempting to unzip the file again. Windows will remember this location for future extractions.
✅ Ask the Sender to Shorten File Paths
If the .ZIP file itself exceeds 260 characters, the best solution is to ask the sender to restructure their folders or shorten filenames before zipping the files.
For more details, check out Microsoft’s official documentation on path length limitations.