Unable to delete pdf in windows 8

Anonymous
2013-02-03T13:50:18+00:00

When I try to delete a pdf file, the computer starts but then a message appears that "the action cannot be completed beacause the file is open in another programme".

However I do not believe that it actually is. I have unistalled the w.8 reader app so that cannot be it.

I only have had the laptop for two months now and it has been covered with the free norton antivirus all the time, so I think

it'd be unlikely that there is malware on the laptop.

Does anyone have an idea what may cause it and how I can solve?

Thanks a lot!

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

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Anonymous
2013-04-29T11:05:17+00:00

Hi,

I had the same problem.

However, I was able to delete pdf's by hitting Shift+Delete keys.

Be aware that using particular key combination will delete your files permanently!

Good luck!

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Anonymous
2013-02-03T16:44:32+00:00

Right charm>Settings>PC Settings>General> Advanced Boot

Boot to safe mode

Does it still happen?

If so, right click file>properties>security tab>advanced>change owner to your username

then apply and ok

try again

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Anonymous
2014-09-17T07:53:53+00:00

Hello Mace,

Thank you for the reply.

I appreciate your concern.

I would suggest you to update Windows 8 to 8.1 to fix the bugs.

Refer this article:

Update to Windows 8.1 from Windows 8

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/update-from-windows-8-tutorial

Thank you

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Anonymous
2013-02-03T17:09:32+00:00

Ha, that's an awesome bug...

Be sure to mark your post as answered too, thanks for the tidbit of info, I think I may have come across this Windows bug too

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-07-13T00:43:34+00:00

    I bought a new Windows 8.1 machine August 2013, and I can't recall when I noticed the same problem.  I am still having this problem as of 07/14/14.  I don't believe that this is malware - no, it is a problem with Windows 8.1.  The only way to solve the problem is a file specific fix - that go into properties for the file and select the security tab and deny permissions for the file hit accept and then remove the checks in the deny column (hence the permissions will be accept) and then accept those changes.  About 90% of the time the system will let me delete the file.  There have been a few times I have had to reboot my computer or shut it down entirely to be able to delete a file. 

    You may say this is not a fix.  I agree.  It merely lets me delete the file I want to delete.  It does not resolve the problem.  There is something miscoded in Windows 8.1 with the permissions that causes the system to lache onto the file and it does not want to let it go.

    I do not know how to notify Microsoft of this problem.  I wish that this could get fixed in a Windows update.

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