This is a known Windows 11 bug. Here's another discussion about it:
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/when-i-try-to-rename-a-drive-file-explorer-renames-the-one-above-it-instead.13760/
As far as I know, Microsoft has not acknowledged or addressed the issue.
Please report it via the Feedback Hub (⊞-F).
For now, you can fix the issue by changing the Windows 11 right-click menu back to the classic right-click menu. That can be done with a simple registry setting. It's also an option in WinSetView.
Answer from Les Ferch on learn.microsoft.comIt was right there, on the top. The whole time. The WHOLE time. I don't know how to process this.
Videos
This is a known Windows 11 bug. Here's another discussion about it:
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/when-i-try-to-rename-a-drive-file-explorer-renames-the-one-above-it-instead.13760/
As far as I know, Microsoft has not acknowledged or addressed the issue.
Please report it via the Feedback Hub (⊞-F).
For now, you can fix the issue by changing the Windows 11 right-click menu back to the classic right-click menu. That can be done with a simple registry setting. It's also an option in WinSetView.
Hi Ronald,
I'm Christine, an Independent Advisor and a Windows user like you. I can see here that you're unable to rename files or folder from File explorer. No worries, I'll do my best to help you.
May I know when did the issue start? Is there any changes made?
Is it happening on specific folder or any files or folder?
Please check and follow the steps below:
- Please try to right click the file, select properties and you check if you will be able to rename the file there.
- Refresh explorer.exe
On Windows 11:
Right click on start menu and choose Task Manager
Click Details Tab and end the task of explorer.exe
Then click Run New Task and type explorer.exe and hit enter
- Update Windows
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/upd...
Please let me know the result. I'll be happy to assist you all the way until it's resolved.
Thank you,
Christine L
Independent Advisor
Upgraded to Windows 11 a few days ago, an issue I'm facing so far is quick renaming files/folders.
I would have to go to "Show More Options" > Rename usually. Why is there no rename in the main menu when I right click on this folder?
I cannot recreate that problem. The folder stays open for me. There may be some specific variables involved. A screenshot could provide some valuable clues.
As a test, please try pressing F2 after highlighting the files. Does that initiate the rename or does it also cause the folder to close?
Also try doing the same multi-file rename using the Windows 10 style Explorer. You can open the old Explorer by first opening the Control Panel and then click the Up icon once or twice (depends on your starting Control Panel view). Once you've got the old Explorer open, navigate to the same folder and try the multi-file rename. Does that work?
P.S. If you are interested in looking at third-party bulk rename tools, the one I recommend is Bulk Rename Utility.
What you want: the Bulk Rename utility in PowerToys.
The Rename remains on the main context menu, but it has been moved to the top/bottom zone of the menu, and no longer displays text (just a pictogram) unless you hover the mouse over it.
The icon should look like a rectangle with an I-Bar cursor inside.
Ironically, the "Undo Rename" context menu entry which appears after you have renamed an item appears as a standard context menu entry with a small icon and text.
If you do just wish to revert the context menu to the win10 version, there are a number of options involving either registry changes, or tweak applications as @moab indicated.
Rename is now an easily overlooked icon on top of the first context menu in Windows 11. Look again! My feelings of insanity and frustration immediately turned into wowed blushing face. :)
Hi Amelia. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.
It shows here that right click Rename should still work in File Explorer:
https://websiteforstudents.com/how-to-rename-a-...
See how to repair or edit to show more options in Windows 11 Right click menu:
https://nerdschalk.com/how-to-fix-windows-11-ri...
https://www.howtogeek.com/759559/how-to-find-mi...
https://www.pcgamer.com/windows-11-context-menu...
Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.
______________________________________________
Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.
I went to the Start Menu and clicked on File Explorer. It opened and "Quick access "was highlighted in the left side of the screen. With this highlighted no Folder shown under "Folders" section can be renamed with a Rename clickable.. When you right click on one of the folders, click on "show more options" at the bottom of the drop down menu and you will see no Rename option available... can rename under properties as you said.
Now on the left side of the screen click on Documents or wherever you know their are folders (such a "This PC"). Right click on one of the folders and select "show more options" and you should see a Rename option on the drop down. Maybe MS needs to add a rename option in File Explorer "Quick Access".
Don't know if this helps but that's what I see...
From the content of the question, it seems that you have encountered a problem when renaming files in Windows 11's File Explorer.
When you want to rename a file to a filename that already exists in the current folder, you are asked to rename it to a different filename (usually with a number added automatically).
In earlier versions of Windows, there was an option to replace an existing file, allowing you to replace an existing file with the same name.
You want to be able to re-enable this behavior in older versions, rather than having to exit the renaming process each time, find an existing file with the same name, delete it, and then rename it again.
To summarize, you mainly want to get back to the one-step process of replacing and renaming existing files directly in Windows 11 File Explorer, avoiding the inefficient process of deleting existing files and renaming them again.
Please make sure you understand me correctly, and let me know if there is anything that needs to be explained or added. I will continue to try to help you find a solution to this problem.
Your Sincerely
Hahn - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist
Hi ChimiCR,
Welcome to Microsoft Community.
I'm Hahn and I'm here to help you with your concern.
In Windows 11, the default behavior of the file explorer is to automatically append a number to the file name being renamed, if a file with that name already exists in the folder. However, you can still choose to replace the existing file with the new one by following these steps:
Right-click on the file you want to rename and select "Rename" or simply click on the file name and press F2.
Type the new name for the file and then press the "Enter" key.
When the dialog box appears asking if you want to replace the existing file, select "Yes" to replace the file with the new one.
If you do not see the dialog box asking if you want to replace the existing file, you may need to check your system settings. To do this:
Open File Explorer and click on the "View" tab.
Select "Options" and then select "Change folder and search options."
Click on the "View" tab in the Folder Options dialog box.
Scroll down and make sure that the "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)" option is unchecked.
Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes.
Once you have made this change, you should be able to see the dialog box asking if you want to replace the existing file when you try to rename a file that already exists in the same folder.
If there is anything not clear, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Your Sincerely
Hahn - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist
Grab a linux live-cd and use that.
Have you tried using the short filenames version of its name? Eg
ren whereh~1.ogg where.ogg
If it's the only file in the current folder that starts with the first few letters, then use the first 6 letters of the name (ignoring spaces) followed by a tilde (~) then a 1.
You can use ren (as in rename):
ren *.XXX *.YYY
And of course, switch XXX and YYY for the appropriate extensions. It will change from XXX to YYY. If you want to change all extensions, just use the wildcard again:
ren *.* *.YYY
One way to make this work recursively is with the FOR command. It can be used with the /R option to recursively apply a command to matching files. For example:
for /R %x in (*.txt) do ren "%x" *.renamed
will change all .txt extensions to .renamed recursively, starting in the current directory.
%x is the variable that holds the matched file names.
And, since you have thousands of files, make sure to wait until the cursor starts blinking again indicating that it's done working.
Note: this works only on cmd. Won't work on Powershell or Bash
on CMD
type
ren *.* *.jpg
. will select all files, and rename to * (what ever name they have) plus extension to jpg