Got a strange problem that maybe someone here can help with.
On my Laptop (Win10 21H1) I can’t give a name to new folders or rename an existing folder using Explorer. When I try to, I get the following error.
Clicking Try Again keeps repeating the same error.
Clicking Cancel causes an “unable to locate item” message to popup and then the error window closes.
If I use a cmd prompt to create/rename a folder, everything works as expected.
No errors found running SFC, DISM or the built-in troubleshooter.
Searched for a solution on the internet and found these suggestions.
- replace the Explorer\FolderDescriptions and Explorer\FolderTypes registry entries with ones from a working PC.
- replace explorer.exe and explorer.exe.mui with ones from a working PC.
- create a new user account.
I used the registry settings and explorer files from my Desktop (also Win10 21H1) where this function works, but that didn’t fix it. It also occurs for a new user account on the Laptop.
Notes:
- Not sure how long ago this problem surfaced as I haven’t needed to create a new folder/rename one in quite a while (at least 6-8 months ago.)
- The problem only effects folders. Using Explorer to create new files or rename existing ones works as it should.
- I took ownership of the registry entries on the Laptop and actually deleted them before merging the settings from my Desktop into the registry.
- I replaced explorer.exe and explorer.exe.mui on the Laptop by booting from a Windows install USB, Shift+F10 for a cmd prompt, deleted the files on the Laptop, then copied the files from my Desktop into their proper locations on the Laptop.
So, anyone here know of a verified fix (other than reinstalling Windows) for this problem?