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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?
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
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.
Same problem with Win.7, but with .pdf only, other files (.docx, all types of photo and photoshop files) I can delete with preview option on. Switching off preview allowed me to delete .pdf.
I've got a similar setup and experiencing the same issue. In Win 8.1, turning off the preview pane allowed for deletion but in Win 10, if the file has just been previewed it cannot be deleted by toggling the preview pane.
Your example of workflow impairment is exactly why this problem is such an issue.
When it comes down to dealing with many PDF files on a daily basis , and needing to preview them, access them, and delete them, this issue is a nightmare!
Microshaft really needs to fix their core issues and stop with the shanty work-around "solutions". Oh and by the by MS, windows 10 is absolutely bad.
I'd just like to add my experience. This has always been an issue for me but having just upgraded to Windows 10 64bit using Acrobat DC, the problem has got worse. None of the simple workarounds work and I too do not have the option of using a different PDF reader. I deal with PDF files in a graphics and print capacity and need to preview and delete files many times a day.
I would have to go to services and end the prevhost.exe task in order to delete the PDF, not an ideal workflow. I think that perhaps prevhost.exe does stop itself after an as yet undefined amount of time has passed after turning off the preview pane. I'm keeping my eye on it.
I also found that I can rename one of the locked PDFs, e.g. to .txt, but still can't delete it. Maybe this snippet of info will help Microsoft fix the bug;)
