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
    2025-04-12T02:20:15+00:00

    I know this is 2025 and its been almost 4 years after your reply. But this auto re-selection was occured this morning in my win11 and this solution just work fine without uninstalling anything!! Thanks !!

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-04-09T17:53:07+00:00

    Unselect Media Feature worked for me! Thanks! I had to restart the PC though

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-02-21T16:39:30+00:00

    I cannot believe this bug still exists! Fix it already Microsoft! Fix your god danged OS! This has been going on for DECADES now, just fix it already!!!!!!!! The work around posted in this thread does not work for me. This constantly happens on every windows computer I use, and I am constantly renaming files. It's so frustrating!

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-01-27T05:40:00+00:00

    Wil this ever get fixed!!! Outrageous that this has been allowed for so long. Negligent event. :(

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-12-19T10:12:56+00:00

    December 2024 and this issue is STILL here. It's really annoying.

    Perhaps assign it to a developer in Chennai or Hyderabad - it'll be fixed within minutes (although with the messiest code you can imagine ;) )

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