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]

Hello Michael, and welcome to Vista Forums.

I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted out. Thank you for posting the solution you found.

Shawn

 

[jopalico]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you... :D

 

[Brink]

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

Shawn

 

[Protea]

Hi,

I tried your registry fix solution for my 32-bit Vista Home Premium laptop to fix the folder Rename function (I had it before - where did it go?!), but I still can't rename it. It just doesn't give me the option when I right click and the option is not 'live' elsewhere.

This is very frustrating and I wish I didn't have this system, but I have urgent work to do so have to fix it.

PLSE help - in simple layman's terms!

Dina

 

[Brink]

Hello Dina, and welcome to Vista Forums.

What is the name and location (full path) of the file that you are trying to rename?

Shawn

 

[Protea]

Hi Shawn,

I downloaded a zipped folder to my desktop, then unzipped the folders, and one of them called 'members' is the one I want to rename.

Thanks, Dina

 

[Deenario]

Well i just installed a new windows vista 64bit and is activated ..... so there r no problems at all in that window .......

shawn is doing a great job helping sll the people ....

ur great

 

[Brink]

Thank you Deenario. I'm happy everything seems to be ok.

Shawn

 

[Brink]

Hi Shawn,

I downloaded a zipped folder to my desktop, then unzipped the folders, and one of them called 'members' is the one I want to rename.

Thanks, Dina

Dina,

See if you can rename the "Members" file after you Take Ownership of it.

Since you have the 32 bit Vista, another option is to see if you can rename it after using the free program Unlocker on the "Members" file.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Protea]

Hi Shawn,

I know you're trying to help, but I feel unsure of doing anything like 'Take Ownership' or using 'Unlocker'. I mean, I hadn't changed ANYTHING/settings on my laptop and now I can't rename a folder.

Doesn't it have to do with the Windows updates? (that automatically downloads, another complaint - they just start downloading while I'm in the middle of something and I have to restart my pc). My question is will it solve this renaming problem if I should remove the updates?

But how do I remove updates, and it would be difficult to know which ones to remove?

(I did the rename and new folder fixes but it didn't solve the problem).

Do you insist I should try the options mentioned first in this msg?

Thanks, Dina

 

[Brink]

Dina,

It is not unusual for Windows Updates to automatically download, install, and ask you to restart the computer if that is how you have it set. Unless you are having problems renaming more than just this one folder and this just started happening right after a Windows Update being installed, then it probably is not responsible.


It may be a permission issue with the unzipped "Members" folder that is not letting you rename it. Taking Ownership of the "Members" folder and allowing your user account Full control would give you full permission to possible be able to rename it.

The Unlocker program may also help and would be easier than manuallt taking ownership.

You do not have to do this, but it would rule out if that was the problem or fix it.

 

[samosan]

Hiya,

I've read this thread from beginning to end in the hope to find a cure for what seems to be a common problem for many, and i must say you seem a very generous person and patient too!

Unfortunately, the fixes in the guide do not work for me (disbale offlie files, merge the registry file), but to no avail. I then tried to do a repair install, but Vista wouldn't let me uninstall SP1! Something about an error...

Could these two be related? And do you have any more suggestions? I would prefer not to reinstall Vista (again!), and lose my program and Windows settings...

Thank you very much in advance!

 

[Brink]

Hello Samosan, and welcome to Vista Forums.

What is the name and location of the file or folder that your are trying to rename or move? Is this a New Folder?

Is this just for one particular file or folder, or for all of them?

Shawn

 

[samosan]

Thanks for the quick reply!

It seems all the folders are affected, but not files, and i forgot to mention i tried both Unlocker (which doesn't rename it!!!) and set the owner to myself and full read/ write to everyone.

 

[Brink]

Ok Samosan,

You might try running a sfc /scannow command to see if it can find and fix any bad system files that may be responsible for this problem.

If that does not help, then you can see if doing a System Restore using a restore point dated before this problem can fix it.

If that still does not help, then you can do a Repair (upgrade) install.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[samosan]

I've also done the first one (i knew I did one more thing), and it said there was some errors it couldn't fix?

System Restore isn't being very helpful, and only showing restore points of today only (can't remember how to get the calendar of restore points up, and the link to points older than 5 days has gone).

Will have to make a streamline DVD over the weekend, as an error pops up when trying to uninstall SP1

Many thanks thus far, I'm confident you'll find a cure for this horrid problem!

n.b. I won't be back home for a few days, so it may look as though I'm being ungrateful and not replying anymore, but actually I just can't implement any changes until Fri PM GMT time.

 

[Brink]

No problem Samosan. I will see you then.

 

[Protea]

Dina,

It is not unusual for Windows Updates to automatically download, install, and ask you to restart the computer if that is how you have it set. Unless you are having problems renaming more than just this one folder and this just started happening right after a Windows Update being installed, then it probably is not responsible.


It may be a permission issue with the unzipped "Members" folder that is not letting you rename it. Taking Ownership of the "Members" folder and allowing your user account Full control would give you full permission to possible be able to rename it.

The Unlocker program may also help and would be easier than manuallt taking ownership.

You do not have to do this, but it would rule out if that was the problem or fix it.

Hi Shawn,

Yes, I think you're right, it is a permission issue with this particular folder and that I'd have to try Unlocker as well as suggested by you - because I don't have this problem with renaming other folders on my desktop.

Thanks for your patience and useful info!
Dina

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Dina. Were you able to rename it?

Shawn

 

[MilesAhead]

Brink, let me describe what I'm getting in 32 bit Vista and see if you think it's related. Often what happens is I do some processing on video files. When I'm done with the files in the output folder and attempt to delete the folder, I'll get an access violation indicating the files in the folder are owned by another process. Or, I'll get no feedback at all but the Folder will not delete. In the latter case when I run Unlocker and do Unlock All, the folder I attempted to delete will disappear. In the former case, then I can delete the folder.

Seems like an Explorer quirk. Does it sound familiar?