Why has right-click Rename stopped working?
Q
Since upgrading to the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (FCU), I can no longer rename files or documents by simply right-clicking the item and choosing Rename. I’d been doing this for years previously without bother, but now it just doesn’t work. I initially thought I had accidentally changed a setting or something, but then I realised it was the same on my PC and laptop, both of which now have FCU. I can still rename by going to Properties and changing the name there, but it’s a bit of a nuisance. Is there any way to fix this? Kenneth Warrilow
A
You’re not alone — this is a known bug. Its effect is felt only when the ‘Small icons’ view is active in File Explorer, so an easy workaround is to select the View tab and then, in the Layout category, choose any other view (List or Details will offer a similar look). The right-click Rename function will now work as before.
The good news is that Microsoft has already fixed this fault, in the latest Windows 10 Preview Build (17035). The bad news is that the completed version of this is unlikely to roll out to normal users until around Spring 2018, with the next major Windows 10 update (codenamed Redstone 4).
However, if you’re impatient there is a way to jump the queue — and that’s to sign up for the Windows Insider Programme, or WIP ( https://insider. windows.com). We’ve covered WIP many times in Computeractive but, to recap, it’s an initiative that lets adventurous users test Windows 10 features and fixes before they’re made available to the public.
If that sounds like you, then jump onboard by clicking Start followed by the Settings cog, and then ‘Update & security’ followed by Windows Insider Programme. Now click ‘Get started’ followed by clicking ‘Link a Microsoft account’. Pick the one you normally use with the PC, then click Continue. Next, under ‘What kind of content would you like to receive?’, open the dropdown menu and choose ‘Skip ahead to the next Windows release’ (see screenshot), then click Confirm.