Renaming project root directory in PyCharm gives java.io.IOException

Question

I know it might be bad idea to rename project root directory, but while doing it I got following error:

I did it as follows:

Cant I really rename project root directory? How this option works? Is their any way to close the project (and all its files) in PyCharms and then rename?

Well, close `PyCharm`, rename folder with your favorite file manager and reopen the project. — Peter, May 13 '19 at 08:03
But doesnt PyCharm keeps root folder path in project settings, like workspace.xml? Do I have to modify them manually if I rename directory from file manager but not from within PyCharm? — MsA, May 13 '19 at 14:37
Looks like some other program is currently using the folder and blocks renaming. — Pavel Karateev, May 15 '19 at 07:30

score 35 · Answer 1 · edited Apr 06 '20 at 16:06

35

I had the same exception occurring. The java exception indeed indicates that something is using the folder (or contents within the folder). Stupidly, for me this was the python console within PyCharm. Within PyCharm, click on your python console and type exit() and hit enter. Then repeat your previous steps of refactor --> rename and you should be able to rename the directory. Note that the old folder will still be present at the directory it existed with only the .idea folder and files present.

EDIT: This was working last week, but now it randomly fails. Which would seem like something else is keeping the folder or contents occupied. For now it seems that waiting 5 to 10 minutes not doing anything allows renaming. Perhaps PyCharm keeps working on the folder in the background and you wait until it is done with whatever it is doing?

edited Apr 06 '20 at 16:06

ddkvn

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answered Apr 03 '20 at 14:23

ddkvn

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Idea terminal was in the directory to be renamed in my case. – Leos Literak Oct 20 '20 at 06:34
In `WebStorm`, I had Angular server running that prevented this from happening. I stopped and renamed it and it worked! – Muhammad bin Yusrat Aug 05 '22 at 02:55
Related bug: https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/WI-16062 – kevinarpe Jan 11 '23 at 09:02

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 06 '21 at 09:13

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I had the same issue, but when I closed all processes in that folder / its nested folders, the rename operation was completed successfully.

answered Oct 06 '21 at 09:13

el_nektarin

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score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 28 '22 at 08:30

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Same problem here, it seems like some process or something is using the folder. Closed the PyCharm terminal and stopped my Running configuration solved the problem.

answered Feb 28 '22 at 08:30

Kristiyan Gochev

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Diletta Goglia · Answer 4 · 2022-10-21T18:10:50.320

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Opening "Task Manager" and terminating Python activity worked for me

edited Oct 21 '22 at 18:10

answered Oct 21 '22 at 18:10

Diletta Goglia

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Renaming project root directory in PyCharm gives java.io.IOException

4 Answers4