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

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-03-03T18:22:20+00:00

    I created a new Feedback Hub issue for this: https://aka.ms/AApb7r9

    If you are uncomfortable clicking that link (I would be), go to your Feedback Hub (Windows Key - F or click the windows menu and type Feedback) and search for: Renaming file in File Explorer erases name if OneDrive happens to sync at same time

    Please go to this issue and click Upvote so we can get it high enough that Microsoft looks at it.

    Thanks!

    Renaming file in File Explorer erases name if OneDrive happens to sync at same time

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-02-29T22:53:04+00:00

    I created a new Feedback Hub issue for this: https://aka.ms/AApb7r9

    If you are uncomfortable clicking that link (I would be), go to your Feedback Hub (Windows Key - F or click the windows menu and type Feedback) and search for: Renaming file in File Explorer erases name if OneDrive happens to sync at same time

    Please go to this issue and click Upvote so we can get it high enough that Microsoft looks at it.

    Thanks!

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-11-29T10:49:36+00:00

    Hi, I agree this is a problem, but there is one fix (perhaps you are already aware of this).

    If you have a few files to rename, and you plan to rename files manually anyway, then please right-click the file and go to Properties. Do the renaming from within the Properties dialog box.

    If you have multiple files to rename, then you might probably have to use PowerShell (if there is a pattern to your renaming) or some other method.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-12-14T18:39:31+00:00

    This is infuriating. I *have to* use OneDrive for work and renaming parts of files is one of those minor tasks you repeat again and again every single day.

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-10-18T15:01:41+00:00

    Having the same issue. Please fix this! Your lack of concern is causing me constant grief, over and over and over again.

    The program already begins the rename with the entire string selected. The program should not assume I want to change the entire file name AFTER I've clicked in the middle of the text string. More often than not, I want to differentiate the file name by only a few characters. This second assumption is redundant and counter intuitive. It also behaves differently than standard windows practices.

    Windows SOP trained me to work this way and now is making for a clunky work experience.

    -Signed
    (Windows User since 3.1)

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