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
    2015-08-28T13:54:28+00:00

    I had this problem and it was driving me to distraction and none of the fixes suggested worked for me.

    I am not a techie but I found a way get round this problem as follows:

    When you try to delete the file and you get the message that it cannot be removed because it is in use, (and you KNOW it is not), it offers you the option to try again. If you do try again with either a single or a double click it STILL will not delete. HOWEVER, when I tried a quick TREBLE click then it DID remove the file. The timing of a treble click can be a little difficult so do not give up if it does not work first time. When I first started this I only got the three clicks right about one time in every three however now I can remove any PDF file first time, every time.

    Hope it works for you too. Good luck!!

    Trevor.

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