Vista Tutorial - Cannot Rename or Move a File or Folder in Vista Fix

**Brink** · **STEP ONE:**

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

RELATED LINKS:

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
Fix_Rename_32_Bit_ Vista.reg file.

B) Go to step 3.

2. For the 64 bit version of Vista -
A) Click on the download button below to download the
Fix_Rename_64_Bit_Vista.reg file.

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

4. Right click on the .reg file (on Desktop) and click on Merge.

5. Click on the Run button in the Security Warning pop-up.

6. Click on Continue (UAC), 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

brooklyn212 · 03-18-2008

Worked perfectly on my Ultimate 32bit! Thanks for the great fix!

**Brink** · 03-18-2008

You're welcome brooklyn212.

**ggbib** · 03-27-2008

I have 2 files on d: that are only like 16 bytes. Left over from secure rom (alcohol 120 failed install i believe). ЃϵϳЅЂϿϽϯІχϯπρϴϱЄϱЃϵϳЅ and ЃϵϳЅЂϿϽϯІχϯπρЂϻϵЉЃϵϳЅ, mainly just annoying, unfortunately they remain.

Jerry

qadri · 04-14-2008

Hi Brink

I tried it but it didn't work with me, I had searched too much in the internet for solutions but all ways didn't work.

I use Vista Home, I hope u can help me

.

Thanks alot

**Brink** · 04-14-2008

Hi Qadri,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Have you tried taking ownership of it yet to see if you can afterwards?

Take Ownership of file

Shawn

gerardm · 04-15-2008

Thanks Shawn,

Your fix worked perfectly on my Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit operating system.

The problem was driving me mad and microsoft's fix didn't work, so Thanks Very Much!

Gerard

**Brink** · 04-15-2008

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

I'm glad to hear that your problem is fixed now.

Shawn

hsayed · 04-16-2008

Good day Brink,
I am struggling since 2 months to as i can not name or rename folders. I have a vista 32 bit. i applied your recommendations but still, i can not name or rename. When i create a new folder, i tape the name and when i click "enter" the name is coming "new Folder", "New Folder(2)", ...
Is ther any alternative? Thanks for your help.

**Brink** · 04-16-2008

Hi Hsayed,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Run the fix in this tutorial also for a New Folder to see if it can help you.

New Folder

Shawn

03-18-2008
brooklyn212 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Vista Ultimate 32bit 3 posts	Re: Cannot Rename or Move a File or Folder in Vista Fix Worked perfectly on my Ultimate 32bit! Thanks for the great fix!
My System Specs

03-18-2008
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 (7600) x64 25,806 posts	Re: Cannot Rename or Move a File or Folder in Vista Fix You're welcome brooklyn212.
My System Specs

03-27-2008
ggbib Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 26 posts	Re: Cannot Rename or Move a File or Folder in Vista Fix I have 2 files on d: that are only like 16 bytes. Left over from secure rom (alcohol 120 failed install i believe). ЃϵϳЅЂϿϽϯІχϯπρϴϱЄϱЃϵϳЅ and ЃϵϳЅЂϿϽϯІχϯπρЂϻϵЉЃϵϳЅ, mainly just annoying, unfortunately they remain. Jerry Last edited by ggbib; 03-27-2008 at 11:24 PM..
My System Specs

04-14-2008
qadri Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Vista Home Premium 32bit 1 posts	Re: Cannot Rename or Move a File or Folder in Vista Fix Hi Brink I tried it but it didn't work with me, I had searched too much in the internet for solutions but all ways didn't work. I use Vista Home, I hope u can help me. Thanks alot
My System Specs

04-14-2008
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 (7600) x64 25,806 posts	Re: Cannot Rename or Move a File or Folder in Vista Fix Hi Qadri, Welcome to Vista Forums. Have you tried taking ownership of it yet to see if you can afterwards? Take Ownership of file Shawn
My System Specs

04-15-2008
gerardm Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Vista Home Premium 32bit 1 posts	Re: Cannot Rename or Move a File or Folder in Vista Fix Thanks Shawn, Your fix worked perfectly on my Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit operating system. The problem was driving me mad and microsoft's fix didn't work, so Thanks Very Much! Gerard
My System Specs

04-16-2008
hsayed Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Vista Business 2 posts	Re: Cannot Rename or Move a File or Folder in Vista Fix Good day Brink, I am struggling since 2 months to as i can not name or rename folders. I have a vista 32 bit. i applied your recommendations but still, i can not name or rename. When i create a new folder, i tape the name and when i click "enter" the name is coming "new Folder", "New Folder(2)", ... Is ther any alternative? Thanks for your help.
My System Specs

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