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
    2013-11-18T15:07:09+00:00

    This is indeed an inexcusable disability, making it impossible to reorganize one's own files on one's own computer on the fly. It's a scandal.

    Here’s a quick workaround that requires no restart (or reformatting of your hard disk.):

    • In Task Manager, right click Windows Explorer and select end process. (if there are multiple instances, do same for each)
    • Then from Task Manager menu select File option Run new task.
    • Type explorer.exe, and click OK.
    • Explorer will reappear, and your folders will be unlocked… you know… till the next time.

    Hopes this helps.

    nextgraf

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-18T15:09:38+00:00

    sorry,

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

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  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.

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  4. 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.

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