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
    2015-10-21T19:05:30+00:00

    Silly that we have to do this every time in happens.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-10-21T11:09:58+00:00

    restart and try again it will work !!

    You mean... restart it every time I want to move a file....you seem to be one of the Microsoft guys hahahaha

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-10-01T19:38:01+00:00

    do you need to wear an orange hat with no brim, have two pennies in your left pocket, and chant in ancient aramaic at the same time??  how did you figure out your solution would work  props to you and, why can't they just fix it to microsoft??

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-10-01T13:15:56+00:00

    The solution I use that seems to be fastest:

    • Go into the folder you are trying to rename/delete/etc
    • Hold down CTRL and roll the mouse wheel until you have passed through all thumbnail sizes from small to large
    • You can now rename the folder/delete/etc

    I believe the problem is Windows is creating the thumbnail sizes in the background and it must do it on idle processor cycles so it takes awhile (just a guess). But by rolling through the various sizes you finish the job and the process releases the lock on the files; which then allows the folder to be renamed.

    Is the quickest for me personally to release the lock.

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