In Windows, long file names refer to paths exceeding the legacy 260-character limit (MAX_PATH). Modern versions overcome this using the Unicode-based extended path syntax, which supports up to approximately 32,000 characters by prepending \\?\ to the full path. This differs from older systems where long names would be truncated automatically, potentially causing errors or file loss. While the OS now allows longer paths, specific applications or scripts not designed for them might still struggle.

Practically, this is essential when organizing deeply nested projects. For example, a video editor might save a file as: Project_Name\Raw_Footage\Location_Shoot_Date\CameraA\Take_04_Scene_02_Description_Clip.mov. Similarly, developers handling complex codebases or automated scripts might generate files with detailed, context-rich identifiers within deeply structured directories to aid traceability and version control, often seen in IDEs like Visual Studio Code.

Using long paths enhances clarity and organization, preventing cryptic file names. However, key limitations exist: compatibility with older software, network shares requiring specific configuration, and potential issues when moving files to systems that don't support the extended syntax. Anticipate wider compatibility as modern tooling increasingly adopts the Unicode path standard, but verify critical workflows handle these paths correctly to avoid disruption.