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Cannot occasionally rename files and folders via File Explorer

Anonymous
2024-07-10T20:56:26+00:00

This is a very strange bug I began encountering ever since I got a new PC with a brand new installation of Windows 10 on it. (I have never encountered this issue on my previous PC.) Sometimes, while using the File Explorer, I lose the ability to rename my files and folders. I cannot find any help regarding this specific issue online, so I'm posting a question about it here.

Here's how this issue manifests exactly:

  • Clicking on a file once to bring up the renaming window doesn't work.
  • Right-clicking and choosing the rename option also doesn't work.
  • Neither does pressing F2.
  • Newly created files and folders (via right-click -> new -> choose to create a new folder or a specific file) are immediately saved with their default name.
  • Restarting explorer.exe via the task manager doesn't resolve the issue.

Here's what works:

  • Renaming files via the desktop still works.
  • Renaming files via third-party applications such as Total Commander still works.
  • Restarting my computer solves the issue, but I am not sure what causes the issue in the first place, and so far, it has happened twice, so it is a recurring issue.

What I'm certain is not causing it:

  • Permission rights
  • Another program using the file or folder
  • Path length

Again, since I can still rename the files and folders via the desktop, it cannot be any of these issues. It is also affecting every file or folder, so it is not an issue of any specific individual files on my device.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-09-16T19:56:46+00:00

    Hi

    I have exactly this problem and it drives me crazy!

    I‘m in music production and can reproduce this bug by loading a certain amount of so called vst plugins. They are .dll files which processes audiobuffer and have theyr own gui. Not all brands will trigger the bug. Brands that trigger the bug are Universal Audio and Arturia among many more. The bug is not triggered when loading about 20 instances of the same plugin, but it‘ll do if loading about 20 different ones. So it‘ll trigger if there are a certain amount of handles or the desktop heap is filled to a certain degree. But increasing the handle limit and the desktop heap didnt made any difference so far.

    Now you know how to reproduce it, I hope Microsoft can fix this soon.

    In case you dont know how to load vst plugins:

    they need a host, a so called DAW.

    I was able to reproduce the bug with the following DAWs:

    FL Studio

    Reaper

    Studio One

    Bitwig

    Best regards

    Pascal

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-09-11T20:41:42+00:00

    did you ever figure what was causing this? We are seeing this here but a few users on a server shared folder and we know its not permissions cause they can create a new folder fine but when they right click rename it nothing happens.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-07-13T08:43:23+00:00

    Hi Tomáš Stehlík,

    Thank you for getting back to us.

    If there are any updates, feel free to add more information in this thread.

    Best Regards,

    Kyo.Y - MSFT | Microsoft Community Technical Support

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-07-11T16:52:01+00:00

    Since I do not know how to replicate this problem, I will post a response when I encounter it again to test your suggestions. I have had this PC for a few weeks now, but even then, it happens very rarely.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-07-11T06:57:44+00:00

    Hi Tomáš Stehlík,

    Welcome to Microsoft Community.

    Based on the original description, the device seems to be experiencing issues related to the file explorer behavior.

    The original description seems like some sort of background process is quickly interfering with the rename behavior/mouse focus, thus preventing you from completing the rename operation in File Explorer.

    If possible, would you mind sharing more information about this issue with us?

    If I misunderstand your situation, feel free to correct me and share the information.

    Best Regards,

    Kyo.Y - MSFT | Microsoft Community Technical Support

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