Cannot Rename System File in Windows Explorer

This article was previously published under Q227472

SYMPTOMS

When you try to rename a system file (such as Kernel32.dll) in Windows Explorer by using the Rename command, you receive the following error message:

Cannot rename Kernel32.dll: The specified file is being used by Windows.

However, you can rename the system file at the command prompt or shell by typing the following line:

command ren kernel32.dll kernel32.old

To work around this behavior, use the REN command at a command prompt to rename the file.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

kberrmsg kbpending kbprb kbshell kbui KB227472

Microsoft Support