Thanks! I'll have to give this a try. I use VLC anyway so I have no need for Windows Media Player. Odd that Windows Media Player could affect File Explorer like that though.
Re: Renaming files: annoying automatic re-selection of entire filename in Windows 8
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Anonymous
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.
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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Anonymous
2021-04-30T23:21:26+00:00 -
Anonymous
2021-05-01T14:56:05+00:00 Oh good! Please let us know what happens. Would be great if it works.
It does seem weird that the two might be connected--I have no idea how that other person figured it out.
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Anonymous
2021-05-03T14:58:41+00:00 What a strange workaround, but it's 90% effective.
I did not uninstall Media Player, I just unchecked the box. Not sure if this will have other unintended consequences, but like jackosataco, I use VLC.
I can tab through files to rename them now. I did see one or two try to highlight the entire filename, but it was not as insistent about it as it was before.
So, I'm giving this a 4/5 star almost totally fixed.
Very strange! Thanks for posting.
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Anonymous
2021-05-03T23:47:57+00:00 For some reason I find it even more confusing that it doesn't work all of the time--weird.
But thanks so much for posting your experience. Hopefully other people can try it too.
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Anonymous
2021-07-25T18:27:39+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.
- Go to control panel and search for "windows features"
- You should see something called "turn windows features on and off" -- click on that
- There should be a pop-up window with a directory-style interface (see picture)
- Uncheck "Media Features"
- 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.
Thanks so much!!