Windows 10 constanty tries to rename everything .. but why?

redhawk · 15 Jul 2020

Hi ..

Ive got a swift 5 reasonably new laptop, with windows 10 build 1909 18363.959 this problem recently manifested and despite various attempts to fix it, by resetting explorer. I can't seem to resolve the issue.

What happens is when I click on a folder or any type of file, it goes blue as if it wants to be renamed and then I can't click on the icon. (now this doesn't necessarily happen straight away it seems to happen randomly but has never happened before).

I even tried setting files folders to open on a single click instead of double but the problem is still there, ive also tried all those dos commands online to reset explorer as well as options in explorer itself.

What is causing this renaming issue and what can I about it. Is this happening to lots of people or not?

Also it keeps saying i need administrator access to rename the file though i am an adminstrator of course

dalchina · 16 Jul 2020

Hi, not heard of this.

this problem recently manifested

If you create a new user account for test purposes, do you see the same thing when using that account?

If you disable non-MS shell extensions using e.g. Shellexview (free) - no need to log off- does the same thing still happen?

Do you know what happened before this- installation/uninstallation/update? Can you use a System Restore point created before this started?

redhawk · 16 Jul 2020

Hi thanks for the reply. Yeah I did a system restore back to June, it had no effect, so i took the drastic step of re-installing windows and still get the same problem.

Will try your app now and let you know?

Could it be hardware? .. im using a rapoo bluetooth keyboard and mouse, but when i tried using a hp wired gaming mouse i got the same problem so i discounted that idea.

According to that app there are a lot of msshell extensions .. should i disable all??

i'm beginning to think windows just wants to rename everything

- - - Updated - - -

Now yesterday all day this machine was telling me to enter the bios password even though it is disabled clearly in the bios. I just rebooted and it did the same thing, but this time it did let me into windows, yesterday it wasn't letting me in a few times.

This can't be related can it?

Some sort of wierd bios and windows level virus?

Right I just set up a different "standard" account type, im using a local account for a change, the same problem appeared within after opening 15 folders

dalchina · 16 Jul 2020

Shellexview lets you hide MS items:

Windows 10 constanty tries to rename everything .. but why?-untitled.png

As you're using a laptop you could eliminate external hardware by using its keyboard and touchpad for test purposes.

FWIW you could also boot to Safe Mode and compare.

redhawk · 16 Jul 2020

I guess the answer here is always look to the simplest solution.

My bluetooth keyboard has been playing up and the bios thing and the rename thing point to keys being pressed by themselves .. maybe F2 ... now im using the normal keyboard the problem appears to have gone away.

If it comes back ill post here .. thanks for your help now of course. i need a new bluetooth keyboard, warranty request has been sent

thanks for your help and swift responses

dalchina · 16 Jul 2020

Not a great outcome, but always a good idea to try to reduce a situation to the simplest if feasible.

Windows 10 constanty tries to rename everything .. but why?

Windows 10 constanty tries to rename everything .. but why?

restore point

fixed it