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
    2015-03-08T02:06:09+00:00

    Hi,

    I suggest you to check if there are any important updates for adobe reader. Please install all the updates on the computer and check if it helps.

    To know how to install the updates I suggest you to follow the below link.

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2777982

    Please reply with the results. I will be glad to help you further.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-02-27T10:30:44+00:00

    try older version acrobat reader .

    I try Acrobat Reader 9.5 and solved this problem.

    older version files URL

    ftp://ftp.adobe.com/pub/adobe/reader/win/

    It solve "cannot scroll by mouse wheel on PDF's preview pane " problem too.

    I apologize for my poor English.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-02-27T04:50:07+00:00

    definitely not incredible because it's MS product. if they can fix a problem in five years, that's pretty good.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-02-13T18:09:13+00:00

    The problem with PatrickLarson's "fix" is it disables the function of the preview pane. Thus is no more of help then simply turning off the preview pane and you wont get the error message in the first place.

    Where I run into the problem on a daily basis is I have a lot of scans that are named (by default from my scanner) scan 1, scan2, etc....  I used to be able from windows explorer to highlight the document and see which scan I happened to be on without opening the file.  This allowed me to delete, rename, or move a PDF quickly, while knowing what doc I was working with.  Now I have to turn the preview off, open the file, then close the file to do any of those functions.  This is a result of the preview pane acting as a proxy (file in use) now when versions prior to Windows 8 did not restrict manipulating a file that was being previewed if the file was not actually open.

    Again, I don't know if this is a "file explorer" issue associated with windows 8 or an adobe issue (as adobe too has updated their software to keep up with newer versions of windows, but regardless, it has crippled the functionality of windows explorer (of file explorer- what it is called now).

    Patrick's fix does alleviate the error message, how ever it doesn't allow the preview thus in my opinion is not a helpful fix for my particular complaint.

    And as other posts suggest- This problem doesn't have to do with disc clean up or other utilities.  It is clearly a bug that quite honestly is hard for me to believe hasn't been recognized and fixed long ago.  Certainly I am not the only person who uses the preview pane to manage and clean up file storage.

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