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

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.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

140 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-09-04T01:29:07+00:00

    {09/03/15 @ 21:28}

    Windows 10

    Windows 10 up to date (09/03/15@15:07)

    Tried your suggestion, but check box or not the file cannot be deleted.

    Problem: Unable to delete PDF files. Error seems to be that PDF Viewer, in Preview Pane, locks the file so that it cannot be deleted. This was not a problem in Windows 7 so why is it in Windows 10?

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-09-04T01:15:48+00:00

    {09/03/15 @ 21:16}

    Windows 10

    Windows 10 up to date (09/03/15@15:07)

    Problem: Unable to delete PDF files. Error seems to be that PDF Viewer, in Preview Pane, locks the file so that it cannot be deleted. This was not a problem in Windows 7 so why is it in Windows 10?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-08-31T03:01:50+00:00

    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.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-08-26T18:03:15+00:00

    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.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments