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

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
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
    2013-11-30T14:54:22+00:00

    It's at the top of Windows Explorer where you see all your folders and files...

    If the View ribbon isn't open, it will open when you click View.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-27T21:08:18+00:00

    In windows 8 in the view toolbar Press the Preview pane to turn preview pane off. 

    This opens a preview of the file which locks it from being deleted.

    WOW!   Thank you, just a simple little click!  That was bugging me because I was scanning documents and merging them through Adobe, then wanted to delete the saved items as they were now one file.   I then wanted to delete the single files....it kept saying that and I had no idea.  Pressing Preview pane to turn it off worked!!  THANK YOU!

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-26T20:23:51+00:00

    The 'Launch folder windows in a separate process' is already unchecked...

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-11-07T12:30:18+00:00

    restart and try again it will work !!

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