Unable to rename folders through Explorer in Windows 8.1
I can copy, move, create, and delete them. I can rename them using the REN command from a command prompt. I cannot rename folders through Windows Explorer anywhere on my machine, including on other drives.
When I try to do so, I receive an error titled "Rename Folder" that says "Can't find the specified file. Make sure you specify the correct path and file name." Then when I click Try Again or Cancel, I get another error titled "Rename" that says "The file or folder does not exist."
As far as I can tell, nothing else is wrong with my computer, but I'm pulling my hair out trying to fix this problem. I don't know for sure if superuser is the right place to ask this question, but feel free to redirect me.
Summary of Failed Attempts:
- Booted into Safe Mode
- Made a New User Account
- System Restore Point (two days ago, 9 days ago)
- Deleting / Restoring / Modifying FolderDescriptions registry entries
- SFC /scannow
- Removing windows update KB2984006
- Scanned for viruses using Nod32
- Scanned for malware using MalwareBytes
Details:
Tried rolling back to two different system restore points, both immediately before I observed the problem and one release prior to that.
Tried restoring FolderDescriptions registry entries as found here: http://www.reddit.com/r/windows8/comments/1xexqg/cant_rename_a_folder_in_windows_81_any_ideas_my/
Booting in safe mode as suggested here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-files/cant-rename-or-move-folders-in-81/0e2209a2-bb29-4f01-9830-c175de3420f3
SFC /scannow as suggested here: http://www.networksteve.com/windows/topic.php/KB2911106_regression_bug:_Cannot_rename_any_folders_in_Windows_E/?TopicId=61599&Posts=1
Tried removing registry keys and windows update KB2984006 as suggested here: http://www.surfacetablethelp.com/2014/11/cannot-renamemove-folders-and-files-in-windows-8-1.html
Tried exporting folderdescriptions from other machine and importing as suggested here: http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/43167-unable-rename-folders-windows-8-1-a.html
Compared my exported registry with other machine's exported registry for both:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions
My FolderDescriptions branch of the registry in both cases are binary equal to those exported from my wife's Windows 8.1 laptop which works fine.
Solution 1:
Alright, after trying everything in this thread and a few additional posts on reddit and MS forums, I finally found something that works.
This Sevenforums - Default File Type Associations tutorial has an entry for Directory - Directory protocol associations which links to this reg file. I ran it then rebooted and now I can rename folders! Here is a pastebin of the reg file if you're paranoid like me and want to glance over it first.
It seems it may have come with some slight side effects, but I'll take it.