the action can't be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program

Anonymous
2013-03-21T10:22:13+00:00

this is annoying

the files or folders in question are not open in another program, windows is just refusing to let them be moved or deleted due a recent action ie: photographs moved elsewhere etc

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

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Anonymous
2013-03-21T10:43:05+00:00

This may also be helpful:

Open Windows explorer.

Click ‘Organize -> Folder and search options’ (or ‘View -> Folder options’).

Select the ‘View’-tab.

In the ‘Advanced settings’ window, disable ‘Launch folder windows in a separate process’.

You may need to force restart all explorer instances (via task manager) or reboot your computer if the setting is not applied immediately.

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-11-11T15:40:16+00:00

    Hello,

    Your solution does not work.

    I am running Windows 8.1, fully updated.

    In particular, the error singularly occurs with PDF files, for me.  Specifically, if I preview a file in the navigation pane, I get this error.

    ALL my software is up-to-date:

    • I am a computer user dating back to 1978.  I know what I am doing.  My checkbook is testimony to the tens of thousands of dollars that I have paid to Microsoft.
    • The original post was 03/21/2013; however, I am experiencing the issue 11/11/2015.

    Can you offer another resolution?

    Thank you.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-11-06T04:42:02+00:00

    Restart the Window explorer and it will be gone...

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-10-31T18:42:41+00:00

    Wow! That's crazy!

    That's interesting about the indexing, because I've been having issues with that also. It takes up to 35% of my CPU resources with very little file use.

    Since the Preview Pane has never been active, what about having a file checked? Is a file checked when you attempt the action? That may also be interpreted as an "in use" error generator?

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-10-31T17:52:46+00:00

    Actually it's not a solution for everyone, for many the only solution is to reboot or sign out and back in.

    The problem is the file stays in use or was already in use before you even touched it and at that point it can not be moved, removed or deleted.

    I have been able to delete the contents of the folder and then delete the folder but sometimes the contents are in use and therefore cannot be deleted.

    Preview has never been enabled on my PC 8.1, however there has been the occasion that by leaving the file and folder alone for a period of time I can then delete it.

    Indexing could be the problem but I have never turned it off to validate this.

    I was hoping this would be corrected in W10 but I uninstalled W10 30 minutes after I installed it because it sucked for many reasons including MS control of updating.

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