How to Solve the Error 0x80004005 When Trying to Rename a Folder

Some Windows 10/11 users reported that they were unable to rename folders because Windows Explorer produces an error. The error in question is the “error 0x80004005: Unspecified error.” Without the ability to rename folders or to create them, a person’s productivity is greatly reduced. Solving this particular error is, in other words, critical to anyone who experiences it. In this article, we shall offer several solutions that will help troubleshoot the error 0x80004005 that shows when trying to rename a folder.

How to Solve Error 0x80004005 on Windows 10/11

Before exploring the solutions that we have outlined below, you should know that Windows 10/11 rarely produces errors of any kind. That is why you should consider cleaning your computer with a reliable PC repair tool such as Outbyte PC Repair to make sure that the performance limiting issues that you are experiencing do not stem from your device.

PC repair tools correct registry errors, delete junk files, keep your data safe, identify threats to your computer’s health, and optimize its performance by eliminating redundancies.

1. Use the File and Folder Troubleshooter

If you can’t rename any folder because of the error 0x80004005, then you should consider downloading the File and Folder Troubleshooter from Microsoft’s official site. The following is a list of the issues that the File and Folder Troubleshooter app fixes on Windows 10/11, 7, 8 and 8.1:

• Issues with emptying the Recycle Bin or deleting a file or a folder inside the Recycle Bin
• Issues with renaming or moving a file that results in the following message: “The file or folder does not exist.”
• Issues encountered while trying to copy, rename, or delete a file on a network share. The error messages that are often encountered in this situation include the following: “The network connection may be lost,” “There is a network or file permission error,” “The folder does not exist,” or “The file may have been moved or deleted. Do you want to create it?”
• Issues with views and customizations with one or more folders
• Issues with using keyboard shortcuts to select more than one item in Windows Explorer
• Unexpected behaviors from some of the icons in Windows Explorer, My Computer, on the Desktop or on the Quick Launch Bar

To effectively use the File and Folder Troubleshooter to solve the error 0x80004005, take the following steps:

1. Run the File and Folder Troubleshooter as an administrator.
2. Click Advanced and choose Apply repairs automatically.
3. Press Next.
4. On the options that appear under the question “What kind of problems are you experiencing,” tick Renaming or moving files and folders.
5. Click Next and finish the process.

Check if the problem has been resolved.

2. Perform a System File Checker Scan

A corrupt system file can be a cause for the error 0x80004005. Thus, performing a scan with the Windows System File Checker might resolve the issue that is preventing you from renaming a file or folder on your computer.

To perform a System File Checker scan, take the following steps:

1. Go to Start and type “cmd.”
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as Administrator.
3. Into the Command Prompt, type sfc /scannow. Maintain the space between sfc and /scannow.

To fix all the problems, you may have to run this thrice. Once the scan is complete, you will get either of the following three messages:

• Windows did not find any integrity violations.
• Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and repaired them.
• Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some (or all) of them.

If you received the last message, then you should run the DISM Restorehealth command. The following are the steps to take:

1. Go to Start and type “cmd.”
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as Administrator.
3. Into the Command Prompt, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. Make sure to keep the space that separates the different commands.

Check if you are still experiencing the error 0x80004005 when renaming folder.

3. Rename the File Using the Command Prompt

If you are getting errors while trying to rename or delete a file on your Windows machine through the convectional method, then you can use the Command Prompt to achieve the same result. The following are the steps to take:

1. Into the Windows search box, type “cmd” to get to the Command Prompt.
2. Into the Command Prompt, enter ‘dir /x’ and hit Enter to activate the 8.3 file format.
3. Enter your new and old file names in the following format into the Command Prompt: Ren 8.3folder title new folder title. The command should rename the file you want to change, and you should now be able to delete it.

4. Clean Boot Windows

Sometimes, conflicting software might prevent you from being able to rename or delete files and folders on your computer. To be sure that such is not the case, you need to clean boot Windows. The following are the steps to take:

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run utility.
2. Into the Run dialogue box, type “msconfig” to open the system information window.
3. On the General tab, choose Selective startup.
4. Deselect Load startup items and instead choose Load system services and Use original boot configuration.
5. Go to the Services tab and choose Hide all Microsoft Services.
6. Press the Disable all button.
7. Press the OK followed by the Restart button.

After clean booting Windows, you can then try renaming or deleting the file. Once you are finished, you can restore Windows to its default settings using the Configuration window.

5. Take Ownership of the Folder

It could be that the reason you are unable to delete or rename a file or folder on your computer is that you don’t have permission to do so. If this is the case, then you can use a program like TakeOwnershipEx to get full access to files and folders on your computer.

Here is how to use TakeOwnershipEX to get access to restricted files and folders on your computer:

1. Download the program and unzip it with a tool such as WinRAR.
2. Run the setup wizard of TakeOwnershipEX.
3. Press the Take Ownership button.
4. Select the folder that is causing the error 0x80004005 and press the OK button.
   Check if your problem has been resolved.

6. Scan Your Computer with an Antivirus Software

Viruses and malware, in general, cause all sorts of problems on a computer. They could also be the reason you can’t rename any folder and trigger the error 0x8004005 to occur. To be sure that malware is not culpable, scan your system with a powerful anti-malware program such as Outbyte Anti-Malware and see what happens.

7. Use a Different User Account

Likely, the reason you are unable to delete or rename a file on your computer is that you are logged in as a user with limited privileges. Some folders and files are only accessible to administrators, and you will thus need administrator rights to modify them. If you cannot remember the admin login details, you can either recover the password or install Windows afresh, but with the option to keep files and apps. That way, you can assign yourself administrator rights.

Alternatively, if you share the computer with someone with administrator rights, you can request their help in accessing the restricted files on the computer. This is applicable to people having different levels of access to the same computer, especially in offices.

Wrapping up

That’s it from us! Hopefully, the information contained in this article will help you solve the error 0x80004005. If doesn’t, you should contact Windows support or visit a Windows repair clinic. If you know of other solutions to the problem, feel free to share them in the comment section below.