Cursor moves to left or selects all text when renaming files in windows explorer. Windows 11

Anonymous
2022-02-01T15:12:11+00:00

Hi,

I am struggling with a new issue in File Explorer. I have recently updated to Windows 11, but I think this issue has started since this version update.

When I try to rename a file or folder in Windows file explorer, I am unable to place my cursor at a particular point in the filename - eg to insert some letters or numbers.

Instead, wherever I place my cursor, within a second, the whole file name has been selected, which means I start typing a new filename from scratch. This is different to how it has previously behaved, and very annoying.

A related issue - when I am renaming a file saving a file from within a program, a slightly different issue occurs. I put my cursor at the end of a filename, eg,to add a new version number to the filename, but the cursor jumps to the left - to the start of the filename.

Any ideas on how to fix this?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Performance and system failures

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.

0 comments

68 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2024-06-21T08:48:25+00:00

    Please go to the Feedback hub and Upvote this issue: https://aka.ms/AApb7r9. If we get enough upvotes, it WILL be looked at.

    If you aren't comfortable clicking the link above (I wouldn't be):

    1. Go to the Feedback Hub on your PC by either 1. pressing Windows-F or 2. pressing the Windows key, type Feedback, and click the Feedback Hub app
    2. Search for "Renaming file in File Explorer erases name if OneDrive happens to sync at same time"
    3. Click Upvote

    It is a good suggestion. But I find it kind of crazy that Microsoft do not fix this issue without needing votes.

    It affects everyone using Onedrive and managing files on a PC. That is a pretty big crowd.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2023-05-25T17:17:47+00:00

    Not for me. It also happens with fairly short file names

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-05-25T17:01:57+00:00

    I have the impression this issue (selecting the whole filename) happens when the length of the path + filename is too long. Not sure exactly how long as I did not count. If you use a shorter path or filename the problem is gone. You may want to test and confirm.
    Also I never change a filename when the sync to OneDrive or SharePoint is still running, just wait a few moments..

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2023-05-25T16:44:52+00:00

    It does not seem so. How can we go on with that? How do you report such an issue to Microsoft. There must be a way to solve this!

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2023-05-25T16:37:36+00:00

    Has this issue been resolved?????? It has caused inefficiency and errors in my file naming for many months now.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments