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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  2. Anonymous
    2020-11-12T15:47:02+00:00

    Please fix this issue, it is so annoying to have to work around it especially when all you work is files that are saved to cloud folders. I have not seen any answers from OneDrive in this thread, are they monitoring these forums or are we just wasting our time reporting it? In between OneDrive and Windows 10 which are both Microsoft products there should be a solution to this bug. This was reported back 2-3 years ago and it is still an issue, I really don't understand why does it take so long to have it addressed. I have not seen an acknowledgment from Microsoft yet that they are aware of this bug or that they are working on a fix for it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-12-07T05:08:49+00:00

    This was reported at least SIX years back. It is 2020 and Microsoft is selling a product with a fundamental flaw in their OS. It's as if every single refrigerator that Frigidaire sold took a **** on your kitchen floor every once in a while and we're all supposed to just go, Oh, that's what refrigerators do.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-03-16T13:21:59+00:00

    How has Microsoft not fixed this? This is the most annoying issue in Windows.

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-04-30T23:04:38+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.

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