Cant rename files in C:\Windows

[Grandad]

Hi All
I have had a real problem installing an HP printer and have followed all the
help provided by HP. The problem I now have is that they have asked me to
rename twain_32 to twain1_32. Not a problem I thought until I tried it. No
matter how I go about it i.e. simply clicking on rename, using safe mode or
opening Windows Explorer as Administrator I cannot change the name or even
delete it for that matter. I'm using Vista Ultimate.

Can anyone help please?
Grandad.

 

[Jon]

Hi All
I have had a real problem installing an HP printer and have followed all
the help provided by HP. The problem I now have is that they have asked
me to rename twain_32 to twain1_32. Not a problem I thought until I tried
it. No matter how I go about it i.e. simply clicking on rename, using
safe mode or opening Windows Explorer as Administrator I cannot change the
name or even delete it for that matter. I'm using Vista Ultimate.

Can anyone help please?
Grandad.

Suggests its in use by something or other.

You could try stopping the 'Print Spooler' service, and then the rename.

From the command line

net stop spooler

or via "Administrative Tools" > Services

 

[Grandad]

Thanks Jon

I have tried it and get System error 5 has occurred.

Access is denied.

Not sure what's going on here.

Regards
Grandad

 

[Jon]

Thanks Jon

I have tried it and get System error 5 has occurred.

Access is denied.

Not sure what's going on here.

Right, sorry I should have said. Need to run the command from a "run as
administrator" cmd.exe prompt.

Start > cmd.exe (hold down Ctrl+shift before hitting return)
net stop spooler

 

[Grandad]

Sorry Jon I must be missing something here, this is what I am doing.

Click on start
Type run in Start Search and hit return
Type cmd in run box
Hold Shift and CTRL down together and hit return
Type net stop spooler and hit return

Still get the error.
Grandad

 

[Jon]

Sorry Jon I must be missing something here, this is what I am doing.

Click on start
Type run in Start Search and hit return
Type cmd in run box
Hold Shift and CTRL down together and hit return
Type net stop spooler and hit return

Still get the error.
Grandad

I don't think the ctrl+shift technique works from the run box. Don't use the
run box.

Just click the start orb, type cmd.exe, then ctrl+shift+enter together

You should then get a UAC prompt to run elevated, assuming default settings,
and the cmd.exe 'black window' should have 'Administrator' in its title bar.

 

[Grandad]

Thanks Jon

I said I was missing something, I have stopped the print spooler. However
I'm still unable to change the file name. It asks for permission, I give it
and it comes back Destination Folder Access Denied. You need permission to
perform this action - Try Again. I do so ........ and on and on

Grandad

 

[Jon]

Thanks Jon

I said I was missing something, I have stopped the print spooler. However
I'm still unable to change the file name. It asks for permission, I give
it and it comes back Destination Folder Access Denied. You need
permission to perform this action - Try Again. I do so ........ and on
and on

Ok, I don't know how you're going to do that from within the operating
system then, unless someone else will have some ideas. That was the sort of
tweak that was easy to do with XP, but is a bit trickier with Vista, given
its greater security etc.

Really the best way to make changes like is to do it when the operating
system is "passive" ie your in another operating system. You can do this by
dual booting or booting from a suitable "live" CD eg you can get to a
command prompt from the Vista DVD from which you could rename the folder or
move it elsewhere etc. Admittedly these are all fairly advanced techniques
though, and / or may take a bit of setting up.

 

[Grandad]

Thanks Jon for all your advice, I will go back to HP as their instructions
seem to be impossible to complete.

Thanks again
Grandad

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

Using the run box and the start/search line in this fashion will give the
same results. To run fully elevated, you must specifically invoke it and
hitting <ctrl>+<shift> will not do this. Click start, type CMD, then right
click the link in the start menu and choose 'run as administrator' to get
the right prompt. To rename a file in the system folder in Vista you must
first be elevated and, second, the file cannot be in use.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
Vote for my shoe: http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com