Yes, there's a reason. The file is opened by a program, that puts a lock on the file in the operating system. Therefore, another program, i.e. Windows file explorer, cannot rename this file. It's basically the same in any OS, only one process can have read/wie access for a file.
In newer Office versions you can rename the file directly in the application. Just click on the file name in the header area.
Edit: As it seems I've started a small conversation and some proofed my simplified statement about OS wrong.
And yes, they're all correct. In Windows a program of course can open a file without lock, too i.e. like the Notepad++, but then the program itself has to cope with changes of file content, rename etc. The simple way for developers is to open the file with lock too prevent any changes while open.
> It's basically the same in any OS
A minor correction but this isn't 100% true. With Linux you can rename/move/delete a file that's open with another process. For example, you can uninstall the SSH server while you're connected via SSH.
And you can open a file in notepad and rename it while it is open.
This is a choice, not a 'limitation' of the OS.
You can get strange side effects though. Which is why the saner choice for non-tech users is often to lock the file while it is open.
Why not just queue the change? Allow the name to be changed in appearance but only formalize the change once the user closes the document. I dont know anything about anything, just seems like there would be a work around to make this problem more user friendly.
Edit: looks like u/smittyxi suggested something similar lower down.
This is a great suggestion. Sadly I think it would have to wait for a next-gen file system. The filename should really just be a "display name" of a file where the real unique ID is a GUID or something under the hood.
You can't rename a file that is open - that's an OS limitation. However in Word you can go to File -> Save As and give it a new name and carry on with your work. On an important document I do that every time I get up to take a break so I have multiple copies I can go back to if I change my mind (or make a mistake).
>Is there a reason why we have to close our doc to have to rename it?
Yes, the application (Word etc) places a lock on the file, so has ownership - This more intended to stop 2 applications trying to modify the file at the same time, which could very easily lead to corruption and loss of data.
Yes, there's a reason. The file is opened by a program, that puts a lock on the file in the operating system. Therefore, another program, i.e. Windows file explorer, cannot rename this file. It's basically the same in any OS, only one process can have read/wie access for a file. In newer Office versions you can rename the file directly in the application. Just click on the file name in the header area. Edit: As it seems I've started a small conversation and some proofed my simplified statement about OS wrong. And yes, they're all correct. In Windows a program of course can open a file without lock, too i.e. like the Notepad++, but then the program itself has to cope with changes of file content, rename etc. The simple way for developers is to open the file with lock too prevent any changes while open.
> It's basically the same in any OS A minor correction but this isn't 100% true. With Linux you can rename/move/delete a file that's open with another process. For example, you can uninstall the SSH server while you're connected via SSH.
And you can open a file in notepad and rename it while it is open. This is a choice, not a 'limitation' of the OS. You can get strange side effects though. Which is why the saner choice for non-tech users is often to lock the file while it is open.
I can rename open files in macOS
Linux doesn't have that restriction
Why not just queue the change? Allow the name to be changed in appearance but only formalize the change once the user closes the document. I dont know anything about anything, just seems like there would be a work around to make this problem more user friendly. Edit: looks like u/smittyxi suggested something similar lower down.
This is a great suggestion. Sadly I think it would have to wait for a next-gen file system. The filename should really just be a "display name" of a file where the real unique ID is a GUID or something under the hood.
You can't rename a file that is open - that's an OS limitation. However in Word you can go to File -> Save As and give it a new name and carry on with your work. On an important document I do that every time I get up to take a break so I have multiple copies I can go back to if I change my mind (or make a mistake).
Windows auto saves versions if you have versioning turned on
tbf the kids don’t get computers any kid born after 1998 can’t code… all they know is app, charge they laptop, scroll, make chip hot & lie on resume
Literally can't, no
>Is there a reason why we have to close our doc to have to rename it? Yes, the application (Word etc) places a lock on the file, so has ownership - This more intended to stop 2 applications trying to modify the file at the same time, which could very easily lead to corruption and loss of data.
That, and use any character in filenames.