This has been a problem for several years with Windows explorer. If you work decently fast editing a file name, either by clicking on it or pressing F2, and then start typing immediately, Explorer automatically selects the whole name after about a second. This is really annoying since it removes the entire name if you're typing when this happens.

I'm experiencing this same issue since my organization switched to OneDrive. I never experienced this with Google Drive. It's extremely annoying and slows me down. I'm disappointed to see that this issue was posted in November 2022 and it still hasn't been resolved... Classic.

Same here on a spanking new Windows 11 PC. It is definitely related to backup software. I have encountered the same with (individually) each of Google Drive, Dropbox, Synology Drive, and ONEDRIVE! But all Microsoft official solutions blame all other software but their own, while ignoring that this is a Windows problem and has been for over 10 years! I'm beginning to understand why so many of my tech friends have jumped over to Linux.

June 2025 here and using Windows 11, and File Explorer is still producing the same mistake unfortunately on my computer. It occurs when I attempt to rename a existing file (by either clicking inside the file name, or using F2) and File Explorer selects in full ALL CHARACTERS of the file name (i.e. highlights in blue entirely the full name), I try to click left right or center of the file name to remove the full blue highlight of everything, and to start editing the file name by adding the letters I wanted to the file name - but File Explorer (almost immediately, within the same second almost) has already reselected the full name in blue from the first letter of the file name to the last, and as such as I type 1 letter to add to the existing full name, the file name is inadvertently replaced in full suddenly by the single 1 letter I just typed, which is not what I wanted... Help, with any solutions...?

As most of the replies, I have been experiencing the problem for years on several versions of Windows. Is the problem as prevalent if you access the file name via right click and option selection?

This is an ongoing problem and not only causes wasted time and re-work, it has caused critical business issues and data loss.In my experience, the problem is primarily when renaming files on OneDrive. I think it may have to do with synchronization, but I'm not sure. To properly rename a file, we have to click inside the filename, wait a second for the cursor to appear, then use the arrow keys to move the cursor (trying to click again with the mouse may cause the whole thing to highlight). Once the cursor is in the right position - WAIT another second, as the full filename will highlight again and typing too soon will overwrite the whole name. After the filename is fully highlighted a second time, use the arrow key and the cursor will be in the right place and then you can start typing. But even then, don't click out of the filename - make sure it is correct as the system may still re-highlight everything as you are typing and if you don't catch it, the change will be permanent. If the name is messed up and you are still typing, you can press <esc> and start over.Imagine how screwed up this is a company that is trying to digitize and organize thousands of records. Or that relies on flat file processes for critical business functions. It is awful.

Windows explorer bug: renaming files highlights file name while editing, removing entire name

34 Replies

masterkey333
Copper Contributor
Jan 05, 2023
MatsBjur

I may have a workaround - try putting a space at the end of the file name. It seems to let me edit it if there is a space at the end. Let me know if this works for you. Murray
KrisNZ
Copper Contributor
Dec 27, 2022
I am having the exact same issue here and it is getting really annoying! Using F2, the arrows as well as Home key. I tried everything, from being faster or slower, using the contextual menu to rename, etc ... to not avail.
Searching the web, I found posts of people using Dropbox having the same issue and the suggestion is that this has something to do with syncing, so I paused syncing, and lo and behold, the problem was gone. Well, sort of, because now it is not syncing of course. My suggestion to you would therefore to pause syncing if you have several files to rename and restart it when done. The best solution though would be that Microsoft fixes this.
- Eggr365
  Copper Contributor
  May 17, 2024
  1.5 years later, this is still a problem. But today, I *would* tell you that you have no idea how much you have improved my life - but you do know. Thank you.
- damos3000
  Copper Contributor
  Apr 24, 2024
  KrisNZ
  
  Thanks! Pausing OneDrive syncing solved the issue for me! Annoying when having to rename many things in a row and this is a good workaround.
  - ARBVL
    Copper Contributor
    Mar 04, 2025
    Pausing OneDrive syncing worked for me! thank you

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Windows explorer bug: renaming files highlights file name while editing, removing entire name