can't delete file because file is in use

Anonymous
2013-02-22T12:34:36+00:00

So whenever I'm in a file explorer window and I want to delete a file(eg PDF) I get a "File in use" message.

I've figured out that this is caused by the preview pane. No preview pane no message and the file deletes.

I want to know how I can delete a file with the preview pane active because I want to check the contents to make sure it's the correct file I want to delete?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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Anonymous
2017-06-18T21:52:58+00:00

Hi Gianluca,

This thread has been created on 2015 and was previously resolved. There has been a lot of changes since then and the resolution provided here may not be applicable anymore. Hence, we recommend you to create your own thread regarding your concern for assistance from our community.

If there's anything else, feel free to reach out to us.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-12-07T18:16:41+00:00

    Found this helpful

    1

    dalerhayes replied on

    I have the same problem. I always delete these file by shift + delete. 

    THIS is the quick and workable solution.  Turning off file preview does not work until you use the same software to open another file.  There is something in the background that is still focused on the file last previewed.

    Using SHIFT+Delete solves the issue for me.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-12-07T15:37:37+00:00

    I have the same problem when preview pane in Explorer is enabled. I have to go to the task manager and kill instances of Preview handler Surrogate Host process (PREVHOST.EXE). It is not sufficient turning off the preview pane. After that I can delete the file. It has this behavior often but not always.

    Bye,

    Francesco

    This is the only way I can do it too, there are occasions where turning off preview pane doesn't work, I have to kill the process.  How many hits does something have to receive before it gets fixed?

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-12-07T14:38:49+00:00

    Microsoft should fix it.  Windows is a third world product.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-11-10T04:13:49+00:00

    So whenever I'm in a file explorer window and I want to delete a file(eg PDF) I get a "File in use" message.

    I've figured out that this is caused by the preview pane. No preview pane no message and the file deletes.

    I want to know how I can delete a file with the preview pane active because I want to check the contents to make sure it's the correct file I want to delete?

    Hi,

    I had this problem for long time but finally came through it some months ago.

    If Microsoft and/or Adobe did it intentionally, we can call it a bad conception. But if they are not aware of, it is a bug.

    To resolve this inconvenient problem you have just under the View in File Explorer to select Details pane and again unselect it. That’s is.

    Good luck

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