OneDrive File Issues

Fix Word Showing Old File Name After Renaming in File Explorer

John Wilson Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users experience an issue where Microsoft Word continues to display the previous file name even after renaming the document in Windows File Explorer.

How to Fix Word Showing an Old File Name After Renaming

Product: Microsoft Word, OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Opening a Word document from a OneDrive-synced folder immediately after renaming it in File Explorer.
Observed behavior: The title bar in Word shows the old file name instead of the newly updated name, typically due to a delay in OneDrive synchronization.

Before you start

Ensure that your internet connection is stable and save any unsaved work in your open Office documents before adjusting your OneDrive synchronization settings or restarting the app.

Solution 1Recommended

Restart OneDrive and Enable Office Sync

Restarting the OneDrive app and ensuring the Office file collaboration feature is enabled usually fixes the file name mismatch.

Often, a simple restart of the OneDrive sync client forces it to recognize the new file name updated via File Explorer.

Quit OneDrive

Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows taskbar system tray and select 'Quit OneDrive' or 'Close OneDrive'.

Restart OneDrive

Open the Start menu, search for 'OneDrive', and click on the application to restart the synchronization engine.

Open OneDrive Settings

Click the OneDrive icon in the system tray again, click the gear icon (Help & Settings), and select 'Settings'.

Enable Office File Sync

Navigate to the 'Office' tab. Check the box for 'Use Office applications to sync Office files that I open' and click OK to apply the changes.

Missing Office Tab?: Depending on your OneDrive version, file collaboration settings may have moved. Look under 'Sync and back up' > 'Advanced settings' for File Collaboration options.

Solution 2

Reset the OneDrive Application

If simply restarting does not force the correct file name to appear, resetting OneDrive will refresh all sync connections.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for Seamless File Management

If Microsoft Word and OneDrive synchronization issues disrupt your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, lightweight, and completely free alternative for managing and editing all your documents without frustrating sync delays.

1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office installer from the official website and run the quick setup.
2. Open Your Documents: WPS Office automatically recognizes your existing .docx files. Simply double-click any file to open it instantly.
3. Edit and Save Easily: Enjoy smooth editing with familiar tools and save directly to your local drive or preferred cloud service without naming errors.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Lightweight software that opens files quickly without heavy background syncing issuesBuilt-in cloud storage options and seamless local file managementFamiliar tabbed user interface, making the switch effortless

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word show the old file name after I changed it?

This usually happens when the file is saved in a OneDrive-synced folder and the synchronization process gets delayed or stuck. Word pulls the cached version's metadata rather than the newly renamed file from File Explorer.

What if the Office tab is missing in my OneDrive settings?

In newer versions of OneDrive, the 'Office' tab settings have been moved or integrated into the 'Sync and back up' menu under 'Advanced settings' as 'File collaboration'. Ensure this feature is turned on.

Will resetting OneDrive delete my locally saved files?

No, resetting OneDrive will not delete any of your files. It only resets the application's sync settings and re-establishes the connection to the cloud, resolving temporary glitches like incorrect file names.

Document & File Issues