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

 

[Brink]

De nada Ometot, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Shawn

 

[damion]

thank you every so much, this saved my mind and pc

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Damion. I happy to hear that you didn't go crazy and smash your computer.

Shawn

 

[verrego]

I dont have the offline file opti0n???

The only problem i have is when i create a new folder.........i try to rename it then i get the error message that says this file or folder does not exist

 

[Brink]

Hi Verrego, and welcome to Vista Forums.

As explained in the NOTE under STEP ONE, the Offline File feature is only for the Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions. Otherwise go to STEP TWO.

Have you already tried the download in STEP TWO for your version of Vista?

Shawn

 

[verrego]

ok well i clicked on Fix_Rename_64_Bit_Vista.reg like it said but the page it goes to says its not there anymore

 

[Brink]

It seems to be working just fine for me. I am able to download from either one of them. What exact error message are you getting?

 

[verrego]

Server Error


this is the message i get when i click on the button


404 - File or directory not found.

The resource you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.

 

[Brink]

Hi Verrego,

The download button seems to be working fine for me. Try it again. Check to make sure that you have cookies enabled for this website and that you have Remember Me checked when you logged in.

Shawn

 

[verrego]

ok for some reason it worked this time and yes i had remember password on... but it is in my download window and i dont know how to save it. i clicked and right clicked.... the only thing it wants to do is run it so i did and it worked fixed my problem.......


THANK YOU VERY MUCH

 

[Brink]

Verrego, Option Two in this tutorial will help show you how to enable cookies per website. It is used so the website can remember that you are logged in when you go to different webpages in the site after you checked the "Remember Me" box.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/60641-cookies.html

If this still does not work, then post back and I will post the code so you can create the reg file from you computer to use.


Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[verrego]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH it worked i didnt have to do anything i just tried one more time thanks my problem is gone it was really annoying

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Verrego. I'm happy to hear that it is gone now.

Shawn

 

[salama_8]

perfect!!! u r da man!!!
lmme know how did u know da inf?
ty any way

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Salama, and welcome to Vista Forums. I'm happy to hear that it is working for you now.

lmme know how did u know da inf?

Research and testing.

Shawn

 

[elmonster213]

well i tried downloading the fix and it still doesnt work. i am just trying to rename a new folder in my desktop. the folder yet still does not contain anything. i am running vista home premium 32bit. i need some help

 

[Brink]

Hi Elmonster, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Try redownloading the 32 bit download and try it again. I have included some more default registry settings that may help you better. Be sure to restart the computer afterwards to apply.


If not, you can do a System Restore with a restore point dated before the problem began to hopefully fix it.

System Restore - How to

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[elmonster213]

i have tried once again to download the 32 bit fix for vista and have done the system restore but the problem still continues. is there any other way to fix this?

 

[Brink]

Other than a clean reinstall, you can try a repair (upgrade) install to fix it.

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

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[chooserm]

Thanx, worked great!