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.

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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
    2013-12-12T17:34:29+00:00

    Suffering with this problem as well - for users like myself it's truly frustrating and a huge time suck. I have sometimes 100 files in a folder that I have to look at and determine which to delete. I've created a "to be deleted folder" where I move the file to but it's absolutely insane I should have to do it that way - and it takes me twice the time to do it this way. Such a basic function and they are pretending the problem doesn't exist.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-12-04T09:52:18+00:00

    You'd think it would be an easy fix, it does cause a lot of problems, especially if you want to delete a folder and one of your files is trapped in preview mode so you 're locked, maybe it will be fixed by windows 10.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-12-04T04:37:42+00:00

    I agree this is just annoying. I am forever adding preview and taking it off as I can not delete anything that shows a preview. Older Windows versions did not have this issue and I would hope Windows 8 is rectified so it does not either.

    windows 7 and vista had the same problem.

    its not like its a core OS function or anything.  I'm sure microsoft will get round to it one of these days.  Whilst thy're at it maybe they'd like to fix another bug introduced with vista - that of revealing a file an explorer window NOT being highlighted when that folder has not been opened before.

    Oh in fact there are so many I'd be tempted to chuck the whole thing out, chalk it up to experience and start over

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-11-17T11:24:22+00:00

    Absolutely the same  here, I've had the issue since windows 7 (mow on 8.1) and I only use office, so there does appear to be a lack of communication somewhere.  Hope this gets fixed or as previously stated preview is a useless feature.

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