Forum Discussion
Windows explorer bug: renaming files highlights file name while editing, removing entire name
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.
48 Replies
This is NOT FIXED as of JULY 2026.
Unbelievable. It persisted on Windows 10 for all it's lifetime -- and probably even in Windows 7 and earlier.
I don't understand the annoying poster [username redacted] who keeps insisting that this has been "fixed" all the time.
This has been fixed!
kb5095093 released on the 23rd which includes the fix for renaming files.
It is just crazy that it is now May of 2026 and this silly problem is still persisting. It is clearly related with Dropbox and OneDrive and such like. It is so frustrating to add something to a filename just to see when looking up at the screen again that one has overwritten the entire stupid file name.
Why the heck has MS not solved this?
This has been fixed!
kb5095093 released on the 23rd which includes the fix for renaming files.
This has been fixed!!!
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/topic/june-23-2026-kb5095093-os-builds-26200-8737-and-26100-8737-preview-0e2a20f2-cf9e-46f8-9f08-e6996220882d
You need to get the update from the Microsoft catalog. It was released on the 23rd so yesterday.Just tested on a machine and issue is resolved.
I've experienced everything you all have reported and after much research, I found a utility that works well. In Microsoft Store, search/install "PowerToys". Once installed, within Explorer, highlight the files you wish to rename - in my case, I wanted to pre-prend all files with the same string - then right-mouse click, select "Rename with PowerRename". If this option doesn't appear, then select "options". To pre-pend filename, select "^" in the first field, chose "Use regular expressions", type in your desired string, select what you want to apply it to and then hit "Apply". It prepended all my files as expected without any unexpected behaviors! Perhaps this is Microsoft's "fix" to this issue. I hope it works for everyone! Cheers.
This has been fixed!
kb5095093 released on the 23rd which includes the fix for renaming files.
Yep, same issue.
Super Super Frustrating.
Makes a simple process far more difficult and time consuming.
Microsoft.... Please fix
This has been fixed!
kb5095093 released on the 23rd which includes the fix for renaming files.
This has been fixed!!!
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/topic/june-23-2026-kb5095093-os-builds-26200-8737-and-26100-8737-preview-0e2a20f2-cf9e-46f8-9f08-e6996220882d
You need to get the update from the Microsoft catalog. It was released on the 23rd so yesterday.Just tested on a machine and issue is resolved.
This has been fixed!!!
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/topic/june-23-2026-kb5095093-os-builds-26200-8737-and-26100-8737-preview-0e2a20f2-cf9e-46f8-9f08-e6996220882d
You need to get the update from the Microsoft catalog. It was released on the 23rd so yesterday.Just tested on a machine and issue is resolved.
For me, pausing OneDrive syncing stops the behavior of Windows highlighting a file name every 500ms or so. (There are probably a number of reasons this happens given how many people have reported it over the years, but this appears to work for me.)
This "fix" works for me too, thanks!
I having the same issue as for Feb 2026. Very frustrating working with windows after having used other far less buggy systems.
This has been fixed!!!
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/topic/june-23-2026-kb5095093-os-builds-26200-8737-and-26100-8737-preview-0e2a20f2-cf9e-46f8-9f08-e6996220882d
You need to get the update from the Microsoft catalog. It was released on the 23rd so yesterday.Just tested on a machine and issue is resolved.
Stop saying this is fixed. This issue is NOT FIXED.
We are currently in July 2026.
I found a fix...that has been working so far (first day with Windows 11, as a long-time W10 hold out). In File Explore, bar underneath file path, select "..." to the right of "View" --> select "options" --> select "View" tab --> scroll down to the item "Use Sharing Wizard (Recommended)" and deselect the box --> select "Apply"
This worked for about a month and now reverted. (the box is still unticked)
I tried this solution and so far it has been WORKING!!! If you dont hear from me again today, you are a Hero/Genius.
I've been putting up with this behavior for years (to the point where I finally got it into my muscle memory to pause and wait for it to happen so I could correct the selection).
But I tried this fix last week and since then I haven't had any issues — thank you so much!As of a few days ago, I'm back to having the old issue even though Use Sharing Wizard is still unchecked. So the fix only lasted a few weeks for me. Bummer!
So how many years now... and this S**T is still not fixed. Is there any reason it should not be by now? They are a software company no? China would have fixed it by now.
Had to add to this as this has been the bain of my working life as rename copious file names and I have to watch this so carefully as it wipes out the whole file name so often if you are just too quick.
However, I have found a solution... unfortunatley outside Windows Explorer... if you actually open your OneDrive or SharePoint in a browser and change the file names there, then this does not occur!!!
Guess I will just have to use a browser rather than Explorer when doing this... shouldn't have to, but through Explorer is just too time consuming.
