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.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

90+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

193 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2013-11-19T23:57:54+00:00

    I agree with wakenight (and thank you!). While this is not a permanent fix, it is the shortest, easiest, and "least costly" of them all!

    You can close and re-open without having to shut everything down, re-start, etc.

    Besides that, the next best thing is come into a ton of money and switch to Apple. Hey, that's greeeeaaatt...

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-18T15:41:09+00:00

    well i did say it was a workaround idn't it? I'm just a user... who came here in rage, like you presumably, in search of a fix. Seeing that there were none, I offered what is, from what I can tell, the simplest workaround on here thus far. "We can all feel good?"... Hope shouting at me does that for you MAFury.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-18T15:21:32+00:00

    This and every other related response I have seen is a WORKAROUND, not a SOLUTION. We can all feel good about coming up with these ways to overcome this BUG in Windows H8. But I haven't seen a FIX to the operating system that ELIMINATES PERMANENTLY this UNDESIRABLE FEATURE.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2013-11-18T15:09:38+00:00

    sorry,

    should read: In Task Manager, right click Windows Explorer and select "End task"

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments