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
    2024-04-18T10:06:55+00:00

    I agree with this. It's pants! Please can you fix it?

    No new features required, just make an old one work like it used to please?

    [Every day computers are making people easier to use :)]

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-04-04T08:40:59+00:00

    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?

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-04-04T02:33:46+00:00

    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.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-03-16T18:05:16+00:00

    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)

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-01-17T16:20:09+00:00

    THANK YOU! Still an issue for posterity here, in 2024. And as if I'd have knowingly used WMA ...

    And to Microsoft, for the 305,038th time: #$*&^!@ you. You greed, lazy, empirical, unchecked by FTC/DOJ *&^%$#$--^%$#ers have had it way too easy for way too long. So looking forward to you becoming our unelected overlords ...

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    2 people found this answer helpful.
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