Long file names with [System.IO.Directory]

Hello,

I understand the 260 character limitation in certain Windows components and a 32k limitation in NTFS. Unfortunately, some of our users have outdone themselves in creating long paths, but I need to still work with these folders. I was using get-childitem, but was pointed in the direction of [System.IO.Directory] from .NET.

I have tried the following code:

$destinationpath = '\\?\UNC\server1\APPS\'

$Searchstring = "*"
$SearchOption = "AllDirectories"
#$folders=[System.IO.Directory]::GetDirectories($destinationpath,$SearchString,$SearchOption)
$folders=[System.IO.Directory]::GetDirectories($destinationpath)

Unfortunately, it fails with:

Exception calling "GetDirectories" with "1" argument(s): "Illegal characters in path."

At C:\Users\heywoodg\Dropbox\Powershell\Scripts\temp.ps1:6 char:47
+ $folders=[System.IO.Directory]::GetDirectories <<<< ($destinationpath)
    + CategoryInfo          : NotSpecified: (:) [], MethodInvocationException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : DotNetMethodException
 

The other code I tried was 

$destinationpath = '\\server1\APPS\'

$Searchstring = "*"
$SearchOption = "AllDirectories"
$folders=[System.IO.Directory]::GetDirectories($destinationpath,$SearchString,$SearchOption)
#$folders=[System.IO.Directory]::GetDirectories($destinationpath)

This fails with:

Exception calling "GetDirectories" with "3" argument(s): "Could not find a part of the path '\\server1\apps\DEP-Administration\SECRETARIAT\Subsidiary Companies UK\Copmany UK Branch Global Developments Limited\OVERSEAS BRANCHES\Company UK Global Developments Limited - (Pakistan Branch)\Loan Agreements (not part of a project)'."

At C:\Users\heywoodg\Dropbox\Powershell\Scripts\temp.ps1:5 char:47
+ $folders=[System.IO.Directory]::GetDirectories <<<< ($destinationpath,$SearchString,$SearchOption)
    + CategoryInfo          : NotSpecified: (:) [], MethodInvocationException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : DotNetMethodException
 

So, I have two questions.

1) What is the correct way to pass the UNC to [System.IO.Directory] (a normal UNC still seems affected by the long path issue)?

2) Is the code to search sub-folders correct?

Thanks