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
    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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  2. Anonymous
    2023-01-06T23:34:47+00:00

    On apple Mac OS this does not happen, even when synced to the cloud. I have switched to MAC and will cancel my Microsoft 360 after it runs out this year. Its a disgrace that a coumpany as big as Microsoft worth billions and billions because of the loyal users can not fix this frustrating and simple issue.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-01-06T23:02:10+00:00

    And in January 2023, the problem is still there :(

    These are two key Microsoft products that are simply not compatible for how many years now...?

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-01-06T00:27:06+00:00

    I also have this problem, and have had it for years. I tried unchecking the Media Features box, which worked for a time, but the issue has returned (after I re-synced my entire OneDrive folder).

    Please MSFT, can you fix this?

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-01-03T18:22:41+00:00

    I'm also having this same issue on Windows 11. It seems that whenever onedrive is syncing, the whole filename is selected. Every time any information changes with the sync, the filename is selected again.

    It's really obnoxious when I'm trying to change some of a filename and the whole thing is selected again. This leads to me accidentally renaming the whole filename to something ridiculous and not anywhere close to what I had intended. At least pressing esc cancels the rename (if I notice)

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