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So I think I've found a workaround that doesn't require a third party program. I simply can't reply to the original thread because it's closed, but I think my two cents may help some people since I'm having this problem on Windows 10 nearly seven years later.
It seems that, because I'm trying to rename something on dropbox, that there's a lag between me choosing to rename the file and dropbox recognizing that I'm trying to rename a file. At first, I would wait a few seconds, hit "Home" or the left arrow key, and then work on renaming the file hoping it doesn't happen again, which sometimes it does.
It seems though, that if I hit backspace (when the filename is still initially selected), ctrl+z (to undo deleting the file name), and then home (to get back to the beginning of the file name), I can use the arrow keys to move to the portion I need to rename unmolested, almost like it forces dropbox to recognize that a file is being renamed.
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.
I would have thought that it's unlikely to be OneDrive. To the best of my recollection, this has been going on for many years, since before OneDrive existed, or at least was commonplace. Given the amazing range of solutions here that have each worked for some people, it sounds like it's pretty deep in Windows and fairly random changes can affect it! So I can believe that a OneDrive change might be one of those things?
Someone suggested stopping Wsearch in the service from the Task Manager from a comment in a Youtube video I saw today. I tried it and it works for me.
I guess this happens due to OneDrive as it attempts to sync files as you rename them, which can interfere with the renaming process. Pausing OneDrive can prevent this conflict. (at least it worked for me on Win 10)
This significantly helped, although didn't eliminate the problem.
I'm in Windows 11 and tried all solutions here. What really helped was to disable Windows Search.
Press Win-button on keyboard --> type 'Services' --> open Services application --> search for 'Windows Search' (you can type the entire name and the cursor will bring you directly there) --> double click --> stay in 'General' tab --> select 'Disabled' in 'Startup type:' --> click on 'Stop'
After you've done your renaming you can enable Windows Search (select 'Automatic (Delayed Start)' in 'Startup type:' and click on 'Start'.
Annoying, but at least this works.
