Unable to rename folder

[ralphjramirez]

I am using Windows Explorer in an attempt to rename a folder. I get the message that the action cannot be taken because the folder is open or a file in the folder is open in another application. I do not have any application running. I do have McAffee and Registry Mechanic running but neither would be using this folder. Any suggestions?

Thanks.................Ralph

 

[D3ftOn3Z]

What type of folder are you trying to rename?Is it associated with any softwares/themes you have in your system?
I too have similar problem before renaming/deleting a folder..I used CCleaner to clean my system first.Then restart my PC.And was able to delete/rename the file after that.

 

[seekermeister]

I have had that problem when the item that I wanted to rename or move was displayed in the file manager's window, so you might try deleting it from the folder tree with the window displaying something else.

 

[ralphjramirez]

What type of folder are you trying to rename?Is it associated with any softwares/themes you have in your system?
I too have similar problem before renaming/deleting a folder..I used CCleaner to clean my system first.Then restart my PC.And was able to delete/rename the file after that.

The folder just containes images that I have processed using Photoshop CS3. I just copied the folder to my Seagate usb aux disk for backup purposes, renamed it as a backup. I then wanted to rename the original folder and couldn't do it. I exited Windows Explorer and ran Task Manager to see if I missed something that was running that was using the folder/file and found none.

Thanks for your advice/comments..............Ralph

 

[WindowsStar]

Can you give us a screen shot?

 

[ralphjramirez]

I have had that problem when the item that I wanted to rename or move was displayed in the file manager's window, so you might try deleting it from the folder tree with the window displaying something else.

Thanks for your suggestion. I tried that and I get the same error message. Tomorrow I will probably try booting in safe mode and see if that works.

Thanks again................Ralph

 

[BSkiLLs]

Where did you copy it from ? which section folder ? As sometimes if you do it and copy from one of the main folders or libraries It gets attached. So you can't. Try coping it from a different spot and see if then you can rename.

I've had this happen to me a few times while i was not thinking and as said, it somehow sticks and gets attached and really if you have done it from a couple different spots with the same exact folder. Like moved it and have one in xx section, then one in sss section and one in qq section. (those letters are just random to show my main and example) So yeah some times seems to so called stick or get attached. Plus when the other one is in use and the one you copied isnt. Or the other way around. Etc..

 

[sevenming]

Make sure there are not program in ge folder are running. Close all the process then rename it.

 

[herculeorama]

It might have to do with the Windows permission. On the title/menu bar of the explorer there is an link like "Share this folder". Try the option therein. Else try setting the UAC to low level if you have a stand-alone PC. I faced a similar problem and it was solved by setting the UAC level to minimum. I didn't have anything to lose since I and my wife are the only ones who use my PC so no problem of user control.

HTH.

 

[Tews]

You need to take owership of the folder first, then rename it...

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1911-take-ownership-shortcut.html?ltr=T

 

[Bily]

I have this problem all the time. I log out and then log in and am able to delete the pesky folder.

 

[ralphjramirez]

Can you give us a screen shot?

Here is a link to the screen shot. I have a doctor's appointment so will be late in checking your response. Thank you very much.....Ralph

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4314166308_b051971844_o.jpg

 

[ralphjramirez]

My second reply.........

Can you give us a screen shot?

Don't know what happened to my first reply but here again is the link to the screen shot...........Ralph
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4314166308_b051971844_o.jpg

 

[ralphjramirez]

Problem replying to posts

I have replied twice to windowstar and both replies do not show up. I also have no idea how to respond to other posters as their is not quote for replying to. I am new to this forum so please bear with me.

My response to windowstar is a link to the screen shot he requested. Here it is again, I hope it gets posted........Ralph

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4314166308_b051971844_o.jpg

 

[WindowsStar]

I see the screen shots. Looks like your posts made it. Maybe it took the web site a bit to update.

The first huge problem I see is that all your folders have been created off the ROOT of C huge no-no. You should move all those folders to your "Documents" folder. If you need them to be off a ROOT drive, consider adding another hard drive or partitioning yours so you can move all those folders to that drive. You will need to set the correct permissions on that drive BEFORE you move the data. I would set the permissions first and then do a COPY and PASTE.

It is very possible that you are having problems with that folder because it is off the ROOT of C.

I would open a CMD Prompt (us Run as Administrator) and exit all programs. Then use the Task Manager to end "explorer.exe". If you see more than one end them all. Then end any winword.exe, outlook.exe, notepad.exe, photoshop.exe etc. Make sure you DO NOT end cmd.exe.

In the CMD prompt window on the C drive type ren "Temporary Photos - new" TempPhotos
and press the enter key. Type dir TempP* and press the enter key. You should see your renamed folder.

If do not see the new folder then something other then your software and the windows shell is keeping the folder locked. If it worked hopefully the folder is not locked.

Next type explorer.exe and press the enter key to restart the shell. In Windows Explorer look for the newly named folder. Now see if you can copy, move or rename it.

Let us know.

 

[ralphjramirez]

I see the screen shots. Looks like your posts made it. Maybe it took the web site a bit to update.

The first huge problem I see is that all your folders have been created off the ROOT of C huge no-no. You should move all those folders to your "Documents" folder. If you need them to be off a ROOT drive, consider adding another hard drive or partitioning yours so you can move all those folders to that drive. You will need to set the correct permissions on that drive BEFORE you move the data. I would set the permissions first and then do a COPY and PASTE.

It is very possible that you are having problems with that folder because it is off the ROOT of C.

I would open a CMD Prompt (us Run as Administrator) and exit all programs. Then use the Task Manager to end "explorer.exe". If you see more than one end them all. Then end any winword.exe, outlook.exe, notepad.exe, photoshop.exe etc. Make sure you DO NOT end cmd.exe.

In the CMD prompt window on the C drive type ren "Temporary Photos - new" TempPhotos
and press the enter key. Type dir TempP* and press the enter key. You should see your renamed folder.

If do not see the new folder then something other then your software and the windows shell is keeping the folder locked. If it worked hopefully the folder is not locked.

Next type explorer.exe and press the enter key to restart the shell. In Windows Explorer look for the newly named folder. Now see if you can copy, move or rename it.

Let us know.

Hello,

Now I see that they all appeared, I guess I was a bit impatient. I am not a technical person so have no idea how to get into command mode unless you're speaking in the lower left where I would normally run programs such as msconfig. I also didn't know about not placing my folders in the C:/ drive. I have always done this and never knew it was a no-no until you're post. I have been using this same process for years without a problem. What I do is work on Images in Photoshop and save them in this folder. After a couple months I will do a copy paste of this folder to my Seagate aux USB disk drive. I then will rename the folder in the Seagate drive adding the current date to the folder name i.e. temporary photos - 012810. The copied folder is temporary photos - 092309. I then will rename this folder with a different date i.e. temporary photos - 012910. I have been able to do this in this computer until just recently. Each time I try the rename I make sure the Task Manager shows no applications running. This is when I try the rename and it fails. Hope this makes sense. Again, I am not sure how to do the Command you indicate.

Thanks again for all the time you have spent helping me..........Ralph

Thanks also to the other posters. I got confused at first because of the replies not showing up so didn't thank them individually, sorry about that.

 

[WindowsStar]

Ralph: Not knowing about the Command Prompt does make things a bit tricky. Click the ORB (the old Start icon) and then All Programs, then Accessories in there you will see Command Prompt. Click it to launch it.

If you have been using a computer from the DOS days or Windows 95 and Windows 98 then using the C drive was completely OK back then. Once Windows NT came along and especially when Windows XP came along Microsoft changed everything. They started making us put stuff in their correct places and forcing us to start using permissions. Back in the Windows NT days I hated it but now I love that when I log on I CAN ONLY see my data any when my kid logs on she can ONLY see her data. She has no access to mine and I don't have to worry about it getting deleted.

 

[ralphjramirez]

Ralph: Not knowing about the Command Prompt does make things a bit tricky. Click the ORB (the old Start icon) and then All Programs, then Accessories in there you will see Command Prompt. Click it to launch it.

If you have been using a computer from the DOS days or Windows 95 and Windows 98 then using the C drive was completely OK back then. Once Windows NT came along and especially when Windows XP came along Microsoft changed everything. They started making us put stuff in their correct places and forcing us to start using permissions. Back in the Windows NT days I hated it but now I love that when I log on I CAN ONLY see my data any when my kid logs on she can ONLY see her data. She has no access to mine and I don't have to worry about it getting deleted.

Thank you for the detailed explanation. I am about to go to a dinner function tonight so will give it a try tomorrow morning. I do slightly remember the dos days. My problem is that I used to be highly technical in the mainframe environmet, the PC's got really popular a couple years before I retired and I didn't really get into them too much. Now, you can't live without them. I've now been retired for 14 years so I don't think as quick as I used to, at least that's what my wife says.

Thanks again..............Ralph

 

[ralphjramirez]

Ralph: Not knowing about the Command Prompt does make things a bit tricky. Click the ORB (the old Start icon) and then All Programs, then Accessories in there you will see Command Prompt. Click it to launch it.

If you have been using a computer from the DOS days or Windows 95 and Windows 98 then using the C drive was completely OK back then. Once Windows NT came along and especially when Windows XP came along Microsoft changed everything. They started making us put stuff in their correct places and forcing us to start using permissions. Back in the Windows NT days I hated it but now I love that when I log on I CAN ONLY see my data any when my kid logs on she can ONLY see her data. She has no access to mine and I don't have to worry about it getting deleted.

I got ambitious and tried it upon my return from my dinner party. I find that I cannot get to the folder to rename it because it is pointing to the wrong location and I am unable to change it. It is pointing to: C:/users/ralphjramirez>
I cannot change that to: C:/>

I know I've screwed something else up but not sure what. Click the link below to see what Windows Explorer screen looks like. Hope this helps............Ralph

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2513/4315536854_a99f85fae6_o.jpg

 

[Bily]

Ralph:
Type cd C: and hit enter at that command prompt to get to a C:\ prompt.