Screenshots and File Path Example

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 61 views

Introduction

Copilot Chat is a powerful extension for Visual Studio Code (VS Code) that provides AI-powered code completion and editing capabilities. However, some users have reported an issue where Copilot Chat fails to edit existing files in Windows, instead creating a new file with the same name. In this article, we will delve into the details of this issue, explore possible causes, and provide a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and resolve the problem.

Description of the Issue

When using Copilot Chat to edit an existing file (e.g., D:\...\example.py), the extension creates a new file at /d:/.../example.py instead of editing the original. The edits only appear in the newly created file. This issue did not occur before the interface update.

Screenshots and File Path Example

To better understand the issue, we have included screenshots of the older interface (where the issue was not present) and the new interface (where the issue is present). We have also included a file path example to illustrate the problem.

Older Interface (No Issue)

Old Interface

New Interface (Issue Present)

File Path Example

Path Screenshot

Steps to Reproduce the Issue

To reproduce the issue, follow these steps:

Open a file located at D:\...\example.py.
In VS Code, prompt Copilot Chat to make an edit to that file.
Observe that a new file appears at /d:/.../example.py, and the changes are not applied to the original file.

Expected Behavior vs. Actual Behavior

The expected behavior is that Copilot Chat should modify the existing file (D:\...\example.py) rather than creating a new path. However, the actual behavior is that Copilot Chat creates a new file at /d:/.../example.py and only applies edits there.

Version Info

To help us diagnose the issue, we have included the following version information:

VS Code Version: 1.98.0 (User Setup)
Copilot Chat Extension Version: 1.277.0
OS Version: Windows_NT x64 10.0.26100
Date of Copilot Extension Update: 2025-03-06, 10:44:27
Commit ID: 6609ac3d66f4eade5cf376d1cb76f13985724bcb
Electron Version: 34.2.0
ElectronBuildId: 11044223
Chromium Version: 132.0.6834.196
Node.js Version: 20.18.2
V8 Version: 13.2.152.36-electron.0

Troubleshooting Steps

To troubleshoot and resolve the issue, follow these steps:

Step 1: Check for Updates

First, ensure that you are running the latest version of Copilot Chat and VS Code. You can check for updates by opening the Extensions panel in VS Code and clicking on the "Update" button.

Step 2: Disable and Re-enable the Extension

Disable the Copilot Chat extension and then re-enable it. This may resolve the issue.

Step 3: Reset the Extension

Reset the Copilot Chat extension by deleting the ~/.vscode/extensions/copilot.chat directory. This will reset the extension to its default state.

Step 4: Check for Conflicts with Other Extensions

Check if there are any conflicts with other extensions that may be causing the issue. Try disabling other extensions and see if the issue persists.

Step 5: Contact Support

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, please contact our support team for further assistance.

Conclusion

Q: What is the issue with Copilot Chat editing existing files in Windows?

A: The issue is that Copilot Chat creates a new file instead of editing the original file. This means that any changes made by Copilot Chat are only applied to the new file, and not to the original file.

Q: Why did this issue occur after the interface update?

A: The issue occurred after the interface update because of a change in the way Copilot Chat handles file editing. The update introduced a new feature that creates a new file instead of editing the original file.

Q: How can I reproduce the issue?

A: To reproduce the issue, follow these steps:

Open a file located at D:\...\example.py.
In VS Code, prompt Copilot Chat to make an edit to that file.
Observe that a new file appears at /d:/.../example.py, and the changes are not applied to the original file.

Q: What are the expected and actual behaviors of Copilot Chat?

A: The expected behavior is that Copilot Chat should modify the existing file (D:\...\example.py) rather than creating a new path. However, the actual behavior is that Copilot Chat creates a new file at /d:/.../example.py and only applies edits there.

Q: What version of Copilot Chat and VS Code am I running?

A: You can check the version of Copilot Chat and VS Code by opening the Extensions panel in VS Code and clicking on the "About" button. The version information is also included in the troubleshooting steps above.

Q: How can I troubleshoot and resolve the issue?

A: To troubleshoot and resolve the issue, follow these steps:

Step 1: Check for Updates

First, ensure that you are running the latest version of Copilot Chat and VS Code. You can check for updates by opening the Extensions panel in VS Code and clicking on the "Update" button.

Step 2: Disable and Re-enable the Extension

Disable the Copilot Chat extension and then re-enable it. This may resolve the issue.

Step 3: Reset the Extension

Reset the Copilot Chat extension by deleting the ~/.vscode/extensions/copilot.chat directory. This will reset the extension to its default state.

Step 4: Check for Conflicts with Other Extensions

Check if there are any conflicts with other extensions that may be causing the issue. Try disabling other extensions and see if the issue persists.

Step 5: Contact Support

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, please contact our support team for further assistance.

Q: Is this issue specific to Windows or can it occur on other operating systems?

A: This issue is specific to Windows. However, if you are experiencing similar issues on other operating systems, please contact our support team for further assistance.

Q: Can I prevent Copilot Chat from creating a new file instead of editing the original file?

A: Yes, you can prevent Copilot Chat from creating a new file by disabling the "Create new file" option in the Copilot Chat settings. However, this may affect the functionality of Copilot Chat.

Q: How can I provide feedback or report a bug related to this issue?

A: You can provide feedback or report a bug related to this issue by contacting our support team. Please include as much detail as possible, including the steps you took to reproduce the issue and any relevant version information.