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.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

90+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

193 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2013-12-23T13:25:47+00:00

    This trick doesn't work at all for me (and tried it in two different configurations)

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-07T16:40:20+00:00

    Update: it also happens when none of the options mentioned are selected. Less frequently though, and maybe once I have activated those options and then deactivated them. 

    * and none of the tricks proposed helped.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2014-01-17T21:52:41+00:00

    I have the same problem and I been using the same method as Rick to delete the files.  However, I found that you don't need to reboot.  Simply run 'cmd' to get a DOS box, kill Explorer.exe from Task manager, delete the file using DOS, and then restart explorer.exe.

    I hadn't figured out the commonality in the problem.  Thanks Rick, yes, all my files are .mkv files with the length and frame information missing.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2014-01-18T10:09:31+00:00

    Hi. As someone who'll go to some lengths to avoid typing in commands out of sheer stubbornness, I can't help adding this silly addendum for others like me.

    Normally, once you kill and restart Explorer.exe as you explain, one can delete, move, rename, (etc.) in the restarted explorer. All files and folders will be unlocked.

    All my best.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments