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
    2014-04-06T05:37:22+00:00

    I think the only reason MAFury is upset is because Microsoft has yet to respond.  I do not blame him because all of these "workarounds" are old "workarounds" for any locked up computer by going to task manager and killing any process.  On top of which being a "user" you shouldn't really clog up a forum where everyone is looking for a good solid fix, and not just a bunch of non IT people trying to fix something that they know nothing about.  As an IT professional, seeing 6 pages of useless "workarounds" that I can't tell my end-users to just click here, then hit F6, then click the mouse 3 times just isn't going to do.  So Microsoft, ANSWER for the bug you created, and all the "users", unless you have a solid fix, please don't clog the forum.  Thanks

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-04-06T07:18:40+00:00

    With respect, everybody on this forum is upset. But you and MAFury could be said to "clog the forum" with fix-the-forum-users solutions. If Microsoft was going to do something about this here, they've had since March 21, 2013, when the thread started, to intervene. I don't think that keeping the forum nice and unclogged for them would have upped their motivation to take action in anyway, here or anywhere else.  Meantime, people do the best they can as they wait for Godot. Just curious, but why do you think Ma Fury is a "him".... You looked under his kilt? I’m sure I speak for most “end-users” here in sending commiserations to your "end-users". Best.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-04-22T16:00:00+00:00

    I actually had to disable the "show preview handlers in a preview pane" in the Windows Explorer, options, view Tab.  I was then able to easily delete all my sticky files not deleting because I do have my preview pane setting to on.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-04-22T21:04:30+00:00

    I actually had to disable the "show preview handlers in a preview pane" in the Windows Explorer, options, view Tab.  I was then able to easily delete all my sticky files not deleting because I do have my preview pane setting to on.

    Interesting... I'll definitely give that a try and report back. 

    If others don't aren't clear about this:

    In Explorer go to View Tab

    Select Options button on right

    Select the View tab on the Folder Options window

    In the Advance Settings window deselect Show preview handlers in preview pane

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