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

​

​

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).​

​

2. Click on the Offline Files icon.​

​

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.​

​

4. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.​

​

5. Click on OK.​

​

​

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.​

​

​

​

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 -​

​

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

​

Fix_Rename_32_Bit_ Vista.reg​

​

​

B) Go to step 3.​

2. For the 64 bit version of Vista -​

​

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

​

Fix_Rename_64_Bit_Vista.reg​

​

​

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

​

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

​

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

​

6. Click on Continue (UAC-Vista) or Yes (UAC-Windows 7), 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).​

​

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

 

[farsyyy]

hi all

i tried step 1 only and it fixed the proplem without using the fix file do i still have to run the fix file

thankx

 

[Brink]

Hi Farsyyy,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

No, if it fixed the problem after step 1, then there will be no need to proceed to step 2.

Shawn

 

[DJuse]

worked Perfect for Home Premium 32bit even without restarting

 

[bradwestbrook82]

i have been up all night trying to find a solution to this problem. i can not get it to work no mater what i do. i have tried all the steps listed in this thread. any more ideas?

 

[Brink]

Hello Brad,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

What is the name and path location of the file you are trying ti rename or move?
Some locations and names (My ....) will not let you.

Have you already tried from Safe Mode, or enabling the built-in Administrator account to see if you can while logged on to it?

Shawn

 

[bradwestbrook82]

the file path is on the desktop. right click, create new folder, then when i go to rename i just get a message "the file or folder does not exist." i am allmost positive it has something to do with the registry. i have ran numerous av programs and all say its clean, i have tried all the fixes i have seen. as far as safe mode what good woud it do me if every time i want to create a folder i have to reboot to safe mode, but to answer your question no i have not tried that.

and its vista home premium x32

this all started after i ran regcure. i had just downloaded the program and i ran it, it found lots of things to fix or clean up. after the first time i figured i should run it agin until i come up with no problems but that didnt work i think it must have changed some thing. i was wondering, will the registry go back to its origonal state if i do a system restore? i tried that onece just a few hours before the problem started but it didnt work. i was thinking what if i restored it a day or so before the problem maybe before i installed regcure

if you think you can fix it i will give you permission to remote into my computer but i will have to give you that info in personal email not on an open forum

as far as the built in admin account i am not sure about that. how would i know if i am running on that account or a dif one? how to activate it?

 

[Brink]

Brad,

I believe doing this tutorial below in addition to this one may fix your problem for you.

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

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[bradwestbrook82]

still nothing. i tried the folder fix then reboot, nothing. i then tried doing them both (folder and rename) then booting again, still nothing. i am in college for computer networking and my teacher who has all his certs and degrees has no clue. i really don't want to format the hard drive there must be some way.

 

[Brink]

Brad,

I would go ahead and do a System Restore using a restore point dated before the problem was there.

If that still does not help, then the only thing that I know left to do other than a reinstall is a Repair install. This tutorial will show you how to.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

Shawn

 

[bradwestbrook82]

i tried that shortly after the problem started. i only went back about six or so hours, i should have went earlier the first time because the last restore point wont make any difference, its too late. i think for now i will just make due. i dont have a vista cd i got the system at best buy and the os disk did not come with it so i am going to take a chance and download the vista home premium torrent off the pirate bay. maybee that will give me some options. i got a vista buisness cd and xp pro from the school i go to, but they dont have home pre. if you come up with any thing els let me know and thank you very much for your time.

if i use the vista business cd to upgrade will i still keep all my stuff (music, movies, programs, ex.)

 

[Brink]

Yes Brad they should still be there afterwards, but I would backup anything you do not want to lose just to be safe.

 

[bradwestbrook82]

thats what i thought but just wanted to here some one say it. thanks agin for your time i guess i will attempt to upgrade.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Brad. I hope it goes well for you.

Shawn

 

[richtheredneck]

thanks a lot shawn works great xxxxxxx

 

[Brink]

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

Shawn

 

[drhodesbfs]

Hi Brink, I suspected I had a virus on my PC that I couldn't get rid of, so i performed a system restore using the option to recover the personal files.

I now have two anoying files I can't remove

C:\Users_Recovered\David Rhodes\AppData\Roaming\temp\temp

ЃϵϳЅЂϿϽϯІχϯπρϴϱЄϱЃϵϳЅ
ЃϵϳЅЂϿϽϯІχϯπρЂϻϵЉЃϵϳЅ

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 4300 @1.80GHz 1.80GHz
Memory (RAM): 1022MB
System type: 32-bit Operating System
Computer name DavidRhodes-PC

I've tried using the cmd as administrator to take over the files, but i'm a bit of a novice at PC's and it didn't seem to work.

How can I get rid of these two files easily.

 

[Brink]

Dr.HodesBFS,

Since you have the 32 bit Vista, see if using the free program Unlocker on it will allow you to delete it.

UNLOCKER 1.8.7 BY CEDRICK 'NITCH' COLLOMB

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[drhodesbfs]

Thanks Brink it worked a treat.

You guys should be nominated for some kind of award

Dave

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Dave. I'm happy to hear that it got rid of them for you.

Shawn

 

[killnnllik]

DUDE youre my hero,, almost thought i had to reinstall vista 'cause of it thanks so much

greetz niels from holland !:D