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

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Sandip.

Shawn

 

[Kayla77]

You're a King among men. It worked perfectly on my 32bit.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Kayla. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted.

Shawn

 

[ntkh]

thanks u very much. I have fixed this mistake.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Ntkh.

Shawn

 

[temarovi]

I have tried all of the recommended fixes for this problem (can't delete or move files without the window freezing up that it is calculating the time remaining) that I have found online in this and other forums. Any other suggestions?

 

[Brink]

Hello Temarovi, and welcome to Vista Forums.

What is the name and location of the file that you are trying to move or delete?

Shawn

 

[temarovi]

Hi Shawn;

I have tried several types and locations. I tried to delete from Desktop, My Documents; Recycle Bin and on the C drive (root) a document; a Real Player file, spreadsheet and others and I still get the problem. The file gets deleted but the window (calculating remaining time) will not go away; I have to go to the Task Manager to kill it.

 

[Brink]

Temarovi,

As a troubleshooting step, are you able to delete any of these files while in Safe Mode?

In the mean time, you might go ahead and run a sfc /scannow command to see if it can find and fix any bad system files that may be responsible.

 

[temarovi]

Shawn,

Yes, I forgot to mention that in Safe I did not get any problems. I run sfc and nothing, no problems found.

 

[Brink]

Temarovi,

This usually means that the file is in use by another program then, and the program must be closed before you can delete it.

You might see if you can use the free program Unlocker to make deleting them easier though.

 

[temarovi]

Shawn,

I tried different type of files and locations and all them have the same problem (the status windows do not close but the file gets deleted, moved or renamed). I do not have any applications open. I run the anti-virus and nothing. I am thinking on doing a full System Recovery and re-install everything.

Thanks

 

[Brink]

Temarovi,

You might see if doing a System Restore using a restore point dated before the problem may be able to fix this before doing a complete reinstall.

 

[temarovi]

The System Restore did not work , I did the System Recovery , now is working. Thanks for all your help.

 

[Brink]

Temarovi,

I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted out, but sorry to hear that you had to do a System Recovery to do it.

 

[nazzareno]

Can you help, when I got to step 4 (click on the .reg file on destop and click on Merge) I do not have that option! what do i do

 

[Brink]

Hello Nazzareno, and welcome to Vista Forums.

In Default Programs (METHOD TWO), double check to make sure the the .reg file extension as Registry Editor (C:\Windows\regedit.exe) selected as it's current default program. Afterwards, see if you can merge the .reg file.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[nicolasbv]

It didnt worked with me I cant rename a Computer / Local Disk(C: ) / Users file folder .When i rightclick-properties in other user i can change its name in general, but not in the other user i want. Help me please

 

[Brink]

Hello Nicolas, and welcome to Vista Forusm.

I suppose it depends on what file it is. Could post back the full path and original name of the file that you are trying to rename?

Thank you,
Shawn

 

[Metalcored00d]

Thank you very much, this really saved me a lot of trouble trying to reorganise my folders the way I want to

I daren't think the fix was that simple, just one .reg file and everything worked like a charm =]
thank you!