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
    2024-07-31T17:12:51+00:00

    I'm using Windows 11, and worked for me! I was looking for a solution, never thought it was going to be that simple old media player uninstall. Thank you!

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-07-29T14:36:50+00:00

    This option worked me for everyone.

    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.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-07-29T14:35:32+00:00

    This option worked for me. I tried all the other thread suggestions and none of them worked. Thank you very much.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-05-23T08:10:03+00:00

    This is still an issue, turning off Media Player does not work for me. Right click context menu is also cancelled constantly :/

    It seems like it mainly happens while OneDrive is syncing.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-05-07T19:57:14+00:00

    For a quick test, I disabled the Media Features and tried a few file renames.

    Fingers crossed, but they didn't show the issue of auto-reselect. So this might be a fix.

    I did not uninstall WMP, but I do use VLC as my default (highly recommend)

    I also tested a video in PPT and it ran just fine.

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