I can copy, move, create, and delete them. I can rename them using the REN command from a command prompt. I cannot rename folders through Windows Explorer anywhere on my machine, including on other drives.
When I try to do so, I receive an error titled "Rename Folder" that says "Can't find the specified file. Make sure you specify the correct path and file name." Then when I click Try Again or Cancel, I get another error titled "Rename" that says "The file or folder does not exist."
As far as I can tell, nothing else is wrong with my computer, but I'm pulling my hair out trying to fix this problem. I don't know for sure if superuser is the right place to ask this question, but feel free to redirect me.
Summary of Failed Attempts:
- Booted into Safe Mode
- Made a New User Account
- System Restore Point (two days ago, 9 days ago)
- Deleting / Restoring / Modifying FolderDescriptions registry entries
- SFC /scannow
- Removing windows update KB2984006
- Scanned for viruses using Nod32
- Scanned for malware using MalwareBytes
Details:
Tried rolling back to two different system restore points, both immediately before I observed the problem and one release prior to that.
Tried restoring FolderDescriptions registry entries as found here: http://www.reddit.com/r/windows8/comments/1xexqg/cant_rename_a_folder_in_windows_81_any_ideas_my/
Booting in safe mode as suggested here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-files/cant-rename-or-move-folders-in-81/0e2209a2-bb29-4f01-9830-c175de3420f3
SFC /scannow as suggested here: http://www.networksteve.com/windows/topic.php/KB2911106_regression_bug:_Cannot_rename_any_folders_in_Windows_E/?TopicId=61599&Posts=1
Tried removing registry keys and windows update KB2984006 as suggested here: http://www.surfacetablethelp.com/2014/11/cannot-renamemove-folders-and-files-in-windows-8-1.html
Tried exporting folderdescriptions from other machine and importing as suggested here: http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/43167-unable-rename-folders-windows-8-1-a.html
Compared my exported registry with other machine's exported registry for both:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions
My FolderDescriptions branch of the registry in both cases are binary equal to those exported from my wife's Windows 8.1 laptop which works fine.