Cannot Rename or Move a File or Folder in Vista Fix

Cannot Rename or Move a File or Folder in Vista Fix​

   Information

If you recieve the error The File or Folder does not exist when you cannot move or rename a file or folder, then this will show you how to fix this problem in Vista.

   Note

This problem usually occurs when this registry key or it's subkeys below gets corrupted, changed, or deleted. This is usually done by a registry cleaning program that was allowed to delete (fix) something it found wrong that should not have been.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\FolderDescriptions

   Tip

If the steps below do not help, then take ownership of the file or folder, then try to move or rename it again. For how, see: How to Take Ownership of a Item in Vista

EXAMPLE: The File or folder does not exist. Error Message

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STEP ONE

Disable Offline Files

   Note

This will only apply to the Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions. If you do not have one of these editions, then skip this section and go to STEP TWO below.

1. Open the Control Panel (Classic View).​

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2. Click on the Offline Files icon.​

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3. Click on the Disable Offline Files button. (See screenshot below step 5)​

NOTE: If it says Enable Offline Files instead, then click on it and click Apply and then click Disable Offline Files.​

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4. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.​

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5. Click on OK.​

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6. Click on Yes to restart the computer. (See sceenshot below)​

WARNING: To prevent any loss of data, be sure to save and close all open programs before clicking Yes.​

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STEP TWO

Restore Registry Settings

   Note

• This will restore the default entries and settings for the registry key at the top of the tutorial. Be sure to download the 32 bit or 64 bit version for your version of Vista. To see what bit version you have of Vista, open the Control Panel (Classic View) and click the System icon, or right click Computer in the Start Menu and click Properties. You will see the bit version under the System type section.
• If this involves a New folder, then you should also do this tutorial. See: How to Fix New Folder in Vista

1. For the 32 bit version of Vista -​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the reg file below.​

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Fix_Rename_32_Bit_ Vista.reg​

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B) Go to step 3.​

2. For the 64 bit version of Vista -​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the reg file below.​

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Fix_Rename_64_Bit_Vista.reg​

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3. Save the .reg file to the Desktop.​

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4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.​

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5. Click on the Run button in the Security Warning pop-up.​

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6. Click on Continue (UAC-Vista) or Yes (UAC-Windows 7), Yes, and then OK when prompted.​

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7. Restart the computer to apply the restoration.​

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8. When done, you can delete the .reg file (on Desktop).​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Fix New Folder in Vista
• How to Pin a Folder to the Start Menu in Vista
• How to Repair and Verify the Integrity of Vista System Files with System File Checker
• How to Restore Previous Versions of a File and Folder in Vista
• How to Open and Change Folder Options in Vista
• How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista
• How to Do a System Restore in Vista
• How to Take Ownership of a Item in Vista
• How to Set and Unset the Read-only File and Folder Attribute in Vista
• How to Fix Game Shortcut Links in Vista Games Explorer

 

[brooklyn212]

Worked perfectly on my Ultimate 32bit! Thanks for the great fix!

 

[Brink]

You're welcome brooklyn212.

 

[ggbib]

I have 2 files on d: that are only like 16 bytes. Left over from secure rom (alcohol 120 failed install i believe). ЃϵϳЅЂϿϽϯІχϯπρϴϱЄϱЃϵϳЅ and ЃϵϳЅЂϿϽϯІχϯπρЂϻϵЉЃϵϳЅ, mainly just annoying, unfortunately they remain.

Jerry

 

[qadri]

Hi Brink

I tried it but it didn't work with me, I had searched too much in the internet for solutions but all ways didn't work.

I use Vista Home, I hope u can help me.

Thanks alot

 

[Brink]

Hi Qadri,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Have you tried taking ownership of it yet to see if you can afterwards?

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67717-take-ownership-file.html

Shawn

 

[gerardm]

Thanks Shawn,

Your fix worked perfectly on my Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit operating system.

The problem was driving me mad and microsoft's fix didn't work, so Thanks Very Much!

Gerard

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Gerald, and welcome to Vista Forums.

I'm glad to hear that your problem is fixed now.

Shawn

 

[hsayed]

Good day Brink,
I am struggling since 2 months to as i can not name or rename folders. I have a vista 32 bit. i applied your recommendations but still, i can not name or rename. When i create a new folder, i tape the name and when i click "enter" the name is coming "new Folder", "New Folder(2)", ...
Is ther any alternative? Thanks for your help.

 

[Brink]

Hi Hsayed,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Run the fix in this tutorial also for a New Folder to see if it can help you.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/69837-new-folder.html

Shawn

 

[jefbe]

hi,
i have the same problem. I have a vista 32 bit.
I can not rename folders (items inside the folder, i can rename)nor cut and paste, copy is no problem. I have tried step 2 from your solution but it still wont work. What next ?

 

[hsayed]

Hi,

Thanks Brink. I tried your suggestion but the problem is still there. I was hoping that the new update of vista will fix the problem. Unfortunately not. I don't even know if microsoft are aware about this bug. Do you have any other options or should i reinstall vista which means a huge loss of time for saving and reinstallation. If i can afford that, it will be great!

 

[Brink]

Hi Jefbe,

You might try taking ownership of the file first, then see if it will allow you to afterwards.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67717-take-ownership-file.html

Shawn

 

[Brink]

Hsayed,

See if running a sfc /scannow command can find and fix any bad system file that may be a cause of this problem. This tutorial will show you how if needed.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66978-system-files-sfc-command.html

Shawn

 

[Madiemax]

Thank Shawn,

Fix works great. Will put your forum in my Fav! :D

Tim..

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Tim, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Shawn

 

[jmg@be]

The good key (see the position of attributes key)

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\FolderDescriptions\{15CA69B3-30EE-49C1-ACE1-6B5EC372AFB5}]
"Name"="SamplePlaylists"
"Category"=dword:00000003
"RelativePath"="Sample Playlists"
"ParentFolder"="{3214FAB5-9757-4298-BB61-92A9DEAA44FF}"
"LocalizedName"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,\
6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,\
00,5c,00,73,00,68,00,65,00,6c,00,6c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,\
2c,00,2d,00,32,00,31,00,38,00,32,00,30,00,00,00
"Attributes"=dword:00000001



The wrong key (see the position of attributes key)

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\FolderDescriptions.jmg\{15CA69B3-30EE-49C1-ACE1-6B5EC372AFB5}]
"Name"="SamplePlaylists"
"Category"=dword:00000003
"RelativePath"="Sample Playlists"
"ParentFolder"="{3214FAB5-9757-4298-BB61-92A9DEAA44FF}"
"Attributes"=dword:00000001
"LocalizedName"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,\
6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,\
00,5c,00,73,00,68,00,65,00,6c,00,6c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,\
2c,00,2d,00,32,00,31,00,38,00,32,00,30,00,00,00


To replace the bad key by the good with RegEdit :

1. rename bad key "
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\FolderDescriptions\{15CA69B3-30EE-49C1-ACE1-6B5EC372AFB5}]
" with another name.
2. import good key (see up)
3. Reboot

I search this solution since many months on the web without no other solution!! And now it’s good for me …

Bonne chance !

Jmg@be

 

[Brink]

Thank you for sharing this Jmg@be.

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Shawn

 

[mr_chirag_s]

I tried all the things given here , but did not work for me. Would you please give any other solution.

in Solution 2 , after downloading Fix_Rename_32_Bit_ Vista.reg , when I press merge step5 occurs
("5. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up. " )

after step 5 , the .reg file opens in notepad. and any step after step 5 does not occur.

Following steps did not happen

6. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.
7. Restart the computer to apply the restoration.
8. When done, you can delete the .reg file (On Desktop).

 

[Brink]

Hi Mr. Chirag,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Double check to make sure that the file extension type REG is set with a Current Default program of regedit. You may need to browse to it's location at C:\Windows\regedit.exe to select it. This tutorial will show you how to if needed.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/69758-default-programs.html

Afterwards, see if the REG file will work for you properly.

Hope this helps,
Shawn