Re: Renaming files: annoying automatic re-selection of entire filename in Windows 8

Anonymous
2020-10-19T14:19:02+00:00

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.

Original thread: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8\_1-files/renaming-files-annoying-automatic-re-selection-of/3e451ce8-282a-4638-88ee-fd9f7cca2536

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
    2021-07-25T18:27:39+00:00

    Hi! I too have been driven crazy by this for years. It happens for me in Windows Explorer, whether I am navigating a Dropbox file structure or one solely on my computer (i.e., not synced to another service).

    I found a solution on this site: https://www.tenforums.com/general-support/21198-file-explorer-rename-name-select-delay-interrupts-edit.html and so far it is working for me. Unfortunately (or fortunately) it requires you to stop using Windows Media Player.

    1. Go to control panel and search for "windows features"
    2. You should see something called "turn windows features on and off" -- click on that
    3. There should be a pop-up window with a directory-style interface (see picture)
    4. Uncheck "Media Features"
    5. Probably restart

    For good measure, I also uninstalled Windows Media Player. I did not test this before uninstalling WMP.

    It's not a real fix but I am happy to use different players in exchange for relief from this editing curse.

    Image

    Thanks so much!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-05-03T14:58:41+00:00

    What a strange workaround, but it's 90% effective.

    I did not uninstall Media Player, I just unchecked the box. Not sure if this will have other unintended consequences, but like jackosataco, I use VLC.

    I can tab through files to rename them now. I did see one or two try to highlight the entire filename, but it was not as insistent about it as it was before.

    So, I'm giving this a 4/5 star almost totally fixed.

    Very strange! Thanks for posting.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-01-16T23:54:27+00:00

    I believe the problem is related to "Screen Refreshing" whereby Windows redraws the sync "Icon Overlays" on the desktop (little green tick marks, brown boxes, clouds etc) in the corner of Icons on the Desktop, or in the Navigation Pane in File Explorer. Related to the way File Explorer interacts with any file syncing apps (not just OneDrive) and screen refreshing.

    If you go into File Explorer, select the Desktop folder and under Options/View, turn off "Show Sync Provider Notifications" and also turn off "Always Show Availability Status". This should significantly reduce the problem. The problem may still occur if you are renaming multiple files and you select part of the next filename quickly after already having renaming one. In this case the selection might still default back to the full filename once, but it won't keep re-selecting the full filename. May also occur if someone else is updating files in the same folder you're renaming files in.

    I'd be interested to know if this works for anyone else.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-12-15T08:31:12+00:00

    This bug has been around for at least 3 years, I've read tons of unofficial posts for possible solutions. the shameful thing is that Microsoft has not corrected it yet, and that indeed, they have also taken to win11. Absurd that EVERY time I have to rename a file I get anxious that the whole name will be deleted. Microsoft competes with Apple but the attention to detail is clearly different. There is no leaving a usability bug for three years. Shameful.

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-09-29T23:44:39+00:00

    I tried it, but sadly, it didn't work for me :(

    The problem is still happens again on my OneDrive Folders.

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