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
    2022-05-05T17:56:57+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.

    It's now another 2 years later and the issue still exists :)

    This happens with any sync application, not just onedrive, so I assume it's actually a windows issue.

    I don't think they care tbh

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-05-12T22:29:45+00:00

    Greetings! It is now May 2022 and this is still happening. Did anyone hear back from Microsoft that this will be addressed, or found a good workaround?

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-04-22T15:50:31+00:00

    Here we are in the middle of 2022 on Windows 11 and the issue persists.

    Problem:

    When renaming files, text will be automatically highlighted in the middle of typing, deleting the entire filename.

    This makes renaming files an unnecessary challenge. If you are running any sort of batch process, it could be devastating to that operation. Even trying to manually tab to the next file and quickly edit a series of file names becomes a chore.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-02-01T06:52:00+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.

    Image

    This worked!

    Not 100%, but it is good enough.

    If I take too long to edit it will select all the text, but generally I have enought time to edit.

    And having to disable Media Player to fix this is a fun PLUS or BONUS.

    I hope Microsoft reads this and realises they are forcing users to disable Media Player to work around a long standing issue, and finally decide to fix it ;).

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  5. 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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