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
    2013-10-21T00:57:58+00:00

    Arrrrgh!! Agreed! Fix the problem already!!!! 

    This **** has been going on for years!!! http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2025703 I'm using a Windows 8 fresh install and it's still there!!! Do you know how freaking annoying this is to have to use a file unlocker (LockHunter) and HOPE AND PRAY that it will be successful (best case = 50% success) almost every single time I want to rename, move, or delete a freaking folder containing a thumbs.db file!!?

    God... I'd gladly sacrifice Internet Explorer, the Start Screen AND the oh so wonderful (read sarcasm) Charms, ALL accessories, and probably even support for SOUND in order to have this fixed... let's see what else I can say to communicate to you guys how incredibly frustrating this debacle is!!!

    I've been a champion of Microsoft for over 2 decades; but I'm at my END!!! I'm thrilled at the prospect of Android for general use soon... (just bought my first tablet, besides my android phone, and I'm loving it) and I'm ready to give Apple a try again if you guys can't fix this single stupid issue!!! ARRRGHHHH!! I'M PISSED!!!

    Yeah, I've seen all the various "fixes" posted over the years. I understand the problem... what I don't understand is why there is STILL no fix for it!!

    1. ME: Why should I have to edit Group Policy and disable a useful feature such as thumbnail caching just so I can move or delete folders? ANSWER from Microsoft: "BECAUSE IT'S BROKEN DUMMY! And we haven't gotten around to fixing it yet... so p_ _ _-off will ya!"
    2. ME: Why should I have to give up file/folder network sharing just so I can move or delete folders? ANSWER from Microsoft: "BECAUSE IT'S BROKEN DUMMY! And we haven't gotten around to fixing it yet... so p_ _ _-off will ya!"
    3. ME: Why should I have to edit "View" settings for the folder and again, disable thumbnails, or preview mode for the folder? Again, if you guys put the thumbnail feature into Windows, shouldn't it work? ANSWER from Microsoft: "BECAUSE IT'S BROKEN DUMMY! And we haven't gotten around to fixing it yet... so p_ _ _-off will ya!"
    4. ME: Why has this problem existed since Vista, through Win7, and now again here in Win8 and can be reproduced with 100% regularity on ANY windows computer -- including all 4 Windows machines in my household? ANSWER from Microsoft: "BECAUSE IT'S BROKEN DUMMY! And we haven't gotten around to fixing it yet... so p_ _ _-off will ya!"
    5. ME: Ok, trying to be constructive here, so please bear with me. Clearly it's not an outside application or process, the error message states that the thumbs.db file is in use by "Windows Explorer" itself. Now, that's code you guys wrote... uhh, right??? So, can't you just write a line or two to see if I -- the User -- have actually initiated the delete, rename, or move process and then approve it if its initiated by actual keystrokes? Hey, here's an idea, cache the offending thumbs.db file temporarily somewhere else until you get the network share release. If it solves the problem and allows me to continue, I'm even ok if you prompt me again with a UAC prompt, and ask me, "Are you sure you want to delete the file you just finished confirming you were indeed sure you want to delete?" Yeah, I can live with that, I'm not overly demanding... JUST UNLOCK THE FREAKING THING ALREADY!!!! Sheesh!!

    FINAL ANSWER from Microsoft: "BECAUSE IT'S BROKEN DUMMY! And we haven't gotten around to fixing it yet... so p_ _ _-off will ya!... Besides... we have REALLY important stuff to do for Windows 8.1, like making the Start Menu tiles re-sizable... and... and stuff like, yeah... other important stuff."

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-10-10T06:59:07+00:00

    I am baffled why there are so many user recommendations for ways that MIGHT work to fix this annoying problem, yet there are NO PERMANENT SOLUTIONS FROM MICROSOFT. This is Shameful.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-09-30T12:50:12+00:00

    Actually, this is pretty annoying, does happen a lot, and none of the the "solutions" put forward fix the problem or are unacceptable/irrelevant. It is definitely a problem with Explorer thinking the file is still open as restarting the Windows Explorer process in task manager immediately frees up the folder.  Otherwise they stay locked for a couple of minutes till Windows works it out for itself.

    I used to think this was a network problem I had, however I am not running a full gigabit network and it can still happen locally on my i7 machine with SSD.  Fairly poor on what should be a fairly mature and crucial part of the OS.

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