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
    2015-02-05T11:49:46+00:00

    Super! It works! Thank you!!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-02-02T08:33:20+00:00

    I've been on this thread for almost a year now and no, there's no permanent solution to this problem.  Also Microsoft will NOT fix this since they are releasing windows 10 at the end of the year which will be free for Win7 and Win8 users.  I'll just copy and paste for a few more months

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-02-02T02:13:26+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

    I tried killing Explorer but that didn't help. What helped in my case was closing Outlook. I had saved some files from an Outlook email message to the folder I was trying to move. For some reason, Outlook was not letting go of the folder. 

    I don't know enough about Windows to explain why this is (some DLL issue?), but hopefully Microsoft will fix it before people start jumping out of windows, if you catch my meaning.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-01-13T00:32:20+00:00

    Wow, thanks- this worked!! This problem has been bugging me for years when trying to move, delete or rename files or folders, and this is such a quick, simple solution! I had to toggle the Preview Pane button a few times to move the last stubborn folder, but at last I feel as if I have some control over my files! THANK YOU :)

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